These are the nine projects selected in the second edition of Hand in Hand

The second edition of the microfinancing program Hand in Hand has received 35 submissions, of which five were excluded for not complying with the regulation. This initiative, promoted by the Ponta Delgada – Azores 2027 bid in partnership with Cresaçor – Regional Solidarity Economy Cooperative, supports with 1.500 euros the implementation of inspiring ideas for local communities.
In 2021, 9 proposals from São Miguel, Faial, Teceira, Corvo and the Netherlands were selected. This year, there are, once again, projects from São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Corvo, but also Pico and Graciosa. We have received, however, proposals from all islands, and there are selected projects that will reach all of the archipelago.
The jury, composed by project manager of the Ponta Delgada – Azores 2027 bid Diana Diegues, by Rosa Simas, in representation of the Committee of Honour, and Eva Frias, as a member of the Advisory Board, has selected the following projects:

• MUSAzores, of António Braga, aims to potentiate the sustainable and socially inclusive use of an important resource to the Azores – the regional banana tree, the Musa Acuminata species. This initiative will take place in São Miguel and foresees the creation of artisanal pieces using this resource. All of this action is sustained by a research process, and everything will be recorded to originate a book.
• The micaelense publisher Backpocket wants to reply to the question "O que há nestas ilhas?" (What exists in these islands?) with the creation of a micro playroom. This is an entertaining, didactical, itinerant and portable resource for children of ages between 3 and 12 years old that live on the 9 islands of the Azores. There will be four different games, suited for different ages, concerning food, crafts and Naturalia, themes that Gaspar Frutuoso approached in his book "As Saudades da Terra".
• The argentinian Claudio Hochman presents "Máscaras, Música e Movimento", a small itinerant show built from Azorean traditional music. There will be an open call, inviting people of all ages, with or without experience, to participate in the construction of this show. This project is part of the effort to rehabilitate the Cine-Teatro Açor das Capelas, in São Miguel, and is supported by Junta de Freguesia de Capelas, Cooperativa Kairós and Norte Crescente. Grupo Musical Belaurora will participate in this action.
• Audiogramas - ilhas à escuta e suas zoeiras is the proposal presented by Gustavo Fernandes, that wants to gather an informal sound archive starting with the islands of Faial and Corvo. Besides the collection done by the proponent, there is also an invitation to the voluntary delivery of sound collections made by participants of those two or any other Azorean island. The results will be shared on a website.
• A publication that wants to originate an exhibition that shows Azoreans that assume their differences and specificities, revealing a society composed of people that are not always represented, but are a motor of appreciation of diversity. That is the motto of Impróprias e Invisíveis, by Joana Amen. This publication will become an exhibition during the Cinema Showing for Gender Equality – Imprópria in 2023 and it will gather 9 stories of boldness and self-affirmation.
• Azores Old and New, by Kathleen Moura, is about gathering stories of old and new residents of each azorean island, revealing the different archipelagic perceptions of those who have always known this land, and those who are just now experiencing it with fresh eyes. Old and new will be flexible definitions – it could mean the oldest president, but it could also mean someone from one of the oldest families on the island, someone who lives in one of the oldest houses on the island, or someone who manages the oldest festival on the island. New could mean the last person off the plane, a midwife who helps mothers give birth to the new generation of the remoter islands or a farmer experimenting with new sustainable methods. These stories will be shared on a website and could be published.
• Mariana Costa e Silva wants to develop quick furniture building workshops for beginners, that will take place in Terceira island. Design is the key to integrate functionality and ergonomy in a building method that uses common materials and basic tools. The designer wants to identify a collective space that, through the installation of equipment, gains new socializing dynamics.
• In the Santana region, in Pico, there will be a temporary cineclub with weekly sessions during November. This initiative by the Cultural Association Miragem Anónima wants to activate areas of the island with cinema sessions in unexpected places. With these sessions, the intention is also to fight the seasonality in the cultural offer. The programmes are created for each specific place, for their landscape and their people. In Santana, where there is a multi-generation Cape-Verdean community, the films will reflect issues linked to the collective imaginary of the Macaronesia region.
• Azores - My Virtual Tour is a 3D experience created by Sonia de Kaenel that wants to grant accessibility to places of cultural relevance that are not easily reachable to some people, such as children or the elderly, like Furna do Enxofre, in Graciosa. This immersive experience makes it possible to represent a real place in virtual reality and shows the importance of preserving natural reserves and other fragile environments.