Rua de Alfredo Cunha 378 Galeria Sala 7
4450-021 Matosinhos
البرتغال
- Human rights
- International/Cultural relations
Refugees Welcome Portugal is a project of On The Road - Humanitarian Association, aiming to create a welcoming culture for refugees in Portugal. We provide social support in housing, teaching Portuguese, employability, legal support, and organize cultural and leisure activities to integrate migrant and local communities. Our organization consists of a dedicated team of 3 staff members and 12 volunteers and collaborates with various local and international partners. Annually, we operate with a budget of €150,000, sourced from government grants, private donations, and international funds. We engage in diverse activities, including youth exchanges, seminars, and non formal education at schools. Our main partners include local municipalities, educational institutions, and international refugee support networks. Since 2018, we have expanded our efforts to European refugee camps, providing humanitarian aid to migrants and refugees in transit countries.
We believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, and the situations of the most vulnerable deserve special attention. We reject all types of discrimination, whether racial, national, cultural, religious, social, gender based… And we believe in building an open, informed, free from prejudice and welcoming society, especially for those suffering persecution, coming from conflict zones or simply not being able to pursue a dignified life, they are forced to leave their homes and seek asylum with us. The action of Refugees Welcome Portugal has been evolving since 2016, seeking to meet the needs and challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Portugal. We provide social support, in the area of housing, teaching Portuguese, employability, legal support and we also organize cultural and leisure activities, whose objective is to bring the migrant community and the local community closer together. At the same time, we have an important focus on awareness, as we believe that information is the first step towards positive change and towards creating more welcoming and active communities. Our mission began in Portugal, but we quickly realized that it is not possible to fight for a welcoming, informed and active society in the construction of a fairer world, if we disconnect from what is happening in the world. Since 2018, Refugees Welcome Portugal has been working in several refugee camps in Europe, seeking to maintain a constant presence at the international level, acting in particular in humanitarian support for migrants and refugees in transit countries.
Refugees Welcome Portugal undertakes a variety of projects and activities aimed at supporting refugees and fostering a welcoming culture. We provide essential social support services, including safe and affordable housing, Portuguese language education to aid integration, employability programs that offer training and job placement services, and legal assistance to help refugees navigate the asylum process and other legal challenges. In addition to these services, we organize cultural and leisure activities designed to bring the migrant and local communities together, promoting mutual understanding and integration. Our awareness campaigns are vital in educating the public about refugee issues, aiming to create a more inclusive and welcoming society. We also implement educational programs in schools, teaching students about human rights, refugee issues, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. This helps to build a foundation of understanding and empathy in the next generation. On an international level, since 2018, we have extended our efforts to refugee camps across Europe, providing direct humanitarian aid to migrants and refugees in transit countries. Our work is strengthened through collaborations with local municipalities, educational institutions, and international organizations, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of our projects.
Refugees Welcome Portugal can contributes to the Network by effectively engaging communities and raising awareness about refugee issues through various channels, including social media, research and local events. Our project management skills are demonstrated through initiatives such as our mentorship program, which pairs refugees with local volunteers, enhancing their integration process. We have a strong track record in fundraising, securing essential funds to support programs like our employability initiatives, which help refugees secure stable employment. Additionally, we actively advocate for refugee rights, engaging with policymakers to promote and develop inclusive and supportive policies. We also prioritize capacity building by providing training for our volunteers and partners, enhancing their ability to support refugees effectively. Furthermore, we collaborate with local NGOs, government bodies, and other stakeholders to strengthen our collective impact, working towards a more welcoming and supportive environment for refugees in our country.
We're excited about joining the Ana Lindh Foundation Network because it aligns perfectly with our mission at Refugees Welcome Portugal and also our goal to increase the number of international networks that we are part. We're commited about fostering understanding between cultures and creating a more inclusive society for refugees and migrants and minorities in general. Being part of this network means we can collaborate closely with a wide range of organizations across Europe and the Mediterranean and share ideas, learn from each other, and make a bigger impact in advocating for refugee rights and promoting cultural diversity.