In statements to the Lusa news agency, António Henriques stated, "The main objective of this project is to mix young and old. We want to do two very important things. Firstly, we will combat loneliness."

He said, "Often, when people reach a certain age, they have few relatives. Sometimes, relatives have little availability because they are not in our municipality. Because of this, it is very important that these people have support and someone to talk to."

According to António Henriques, the project involves ensuring these people have someone they know will be there with them. They will be able to spend time talking about things, about their lives.

“Then, naturally, there’s the second part, which is the exchange of knowledge between generations and alerting the younger generations to the need not to forget the older generation.”

The mayor said he hopes that the project goes well. For him, success means that the people who need it most are properly supported.

“The great benefit of this project is precisely that [young people] have the privilege of being part of a community that doesn’t forget those around them, and therefore, this is a community social project,” he emphasised.

The initiative is called “Layering Ties.” It aims to make younger generations understand that everyone is part of the community. One can learn from the older generation, and the older generation cannot be forgotten," the mayor explained.

“The word loneliness, more than the word itself, the feeling is not positive and significantly affects a large segment of our community,” observed António Henriques, noting that “the greatest reward of this project for those who participate is knowing that they are doing social work integrating everyone.”

With two target audiences, young people and the elderly, “some so that they don’t feel that loneliness and others so that they can also learn from the seniors and develop skills in that area,” the project should be underway in the last quarter of the year.

“The regulations have now been released and will be open for consultation for the next 30 days. We expect that in September we will be able to approve this project in the Municipal Assembly, so that we can then begin to implement it,” declared António Henriques.