Latest news and stories about volunteering in Portugal for expats and residents.
Three Algarve charities have joined forces to create a dedicated auction site – Triple Charity Auction – in aid of vulnerable families and animals. Su Davis, Support for Families (SF), The post Two’s company. Three’s even better appeared first on Portugal Resident.
After the low-pressure systems Kristin, Leonardo, Marta, and Martinho destroyed 250,000 trees, Parques de Sintra is mobilising citizens to restore the landscape.
Parques de Sintra invites the community to “actively participate” in the planting of “more than two thousand donated trees”.
The PCP has submitted a bill to Parliament aiming to reconfigure the legal framework for voluntary association leaders, introducing new guarantees and clarifying responsibilities in a sector facing structural weaknesses. The proposal, explained by MP Alfredo Maia, seeks to address difficulties caused by precarious work and irregular hours, which hinder democratic participation. Key changes include the right to ongoing training and legal consultation, protection against personal liability for association debts (unless there is intent to defraud), and greater flexibility in the distribution of hours for board members. The bill also introduces specific provisions for student association leaders.
Journalist António Pereira Gonçalves reports on the difficulties faced in Marinha Grande two months after the series of storms that devastated the Central region.
A group of residents and volunteers has come together to restore the forest of Barão de São João in Lagos following a wildfire that destroyed more than 129 hectares last The post Community unites to bring Barão de São João forest back to life appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Sounds familiar? For the associations and shelters dealing with the ever-increasing feral cat problem, this is a reality. The battlefields, or cat colonies, are where the fight is taking place. The post Cat colonies: help not wanted but needed! appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Ageas Foundation recorded 15,759 hours of community service in 2025, an increase of nearly 23% compared to the previous year – the highest number of volunteer hours recorded since the Foundation's creation in 1998. In a statement, the foundation explained that 186 actions were carried out through its Corporate Volunteering programme.
Two young people created a solidarity warehouse in Marinha Grande to support the victims of Storm Kristin.
Two young people created a solidarity warehouse in Marinha Grande to support the victims of Storm Kristin.
The faces of those who held the country together. During the month that devastated Portugal, some worked non-stop to restore normality to the country. In the case of Filipa Carretas, this meant creating a volunteer network from scratch capable of reaching where help was needed most.
A mother and daughter have launched the 'Adota Cães Heróis' (Adopt Hero Dogs) project, which partners with the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) and the Army to find homes for retired service dogs. The initiative carefully screens potential adopters to ensure they understand the specific needs of these animals, aiming to provide them with a comfortable retirement as a reward for their years of public service.
In the Penha de França district of Lisbon, the Horta do Alto da Eira community garden has transformed a former construction waste site into a vibrant hub for social connection. Founded by the Regador Association, the project brings volunteers together to cultivate land and participate in the Regador Choir. Inspired by the 19th-century tradition of 'going to the gardens' to socialise, the project uses gardening and choral singing to combat urban isolation and promote mental well-being, even serving as a site for social prescribing within the National Health Service. The choir, led by professional musician Inês Proença, performs in a circle to foster group cohesion and a sense of belonging, singing songs that celebrate the land and community.
Practical advice on supporting communities hit by Storm Kristin, including how to donate to relief funds, volunteer safely, offer temporary shelter, check on elderly neighbours, secure property, and follow official safety and evacuation guidance.
Dozens of volunteers organised a collection of goods and went to the affected area to support families affected by the storm. The solidarity movement mobilises the community, the Parish Council and local businesses.
Expresso went into the field with a team of reporters to document the scale of the damage caused by Storm Kristin, assess the strength of civil society volunteering and scrutinise the State's response.
Twelve groups from across the country took up shovels and brooms.
In Leiria, around 600 people from across the country collected the debris left by Storm Kristin.
Participants gathered at the municipal stadium and split into groups to clean the municipality, which comprises 20 civil parishes and is home to more than 130,000 people.
Participants are divided into 12 groups and sent to different areas, each accompanied by a guide familiar with the city.
CNN Portugal reporter Pedro Ramos Bichardo is at the starting point of the initiative.
The municipality issued the appeal, saying that Storm Kristin affected public spaces, infrastructure and the lives of many people.
The Municipality of Marinha Grande, one of the municipalities most affected by the bad weather, today asked for volunteers to help with cleaning, organisation and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
The 'Clean Leiria' operation begins this Saturday; volunteers are asked to bring gloves, spades, brooms and other tools.
Leiria City Council today launched the “Clean Leiria” campaign, the first volunteer action to clean the district capital. The initiative will take place on Saturday, the mayor of the municipality — which was severely affected by the bad weather — told the Lusa news agency.
Data on the sector in the country “are all underestimated”, says Eugénio Fonseca, who describes revising and expanding the framework law on volunteering as “urgent”. Many “are not mapped”.
The Portuguese Confederation of Volunteering (CPV) today unveiled a series of initiatives to mark the 2026 International Year of Volunteers, taking the opportunity to press the Government to review the framework law and prepare a strategic plan for the sector.
The first Portugal Charity Network Coffee Morning of 2026 took place on Thursday, January 22 at Tribulum Restaurant, Almancil, bringing together volunteers, charity representatives, and community members from across the Algarve. The event provided a relaxed The post Portugal Charity Network Coffee Morning brings Algarve charities together appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Portugal Charity Network is inviting volunteers, charity workers, and community-minded individuals to its next networking coffee meeting, taking place at Tribulum Restaurant, Almancil, on Thursday, January 22. This informal and welcoming The post Portugal Charity Network: connecting charities and volunteers appeared first on Portugal Resident.
A new study on volunteering, from a perspective focused on promoting organisations, identifies critical issues.
