On this page

1. Existence of a National Strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a National Strategy

Despite the absence of a national strategy on youth volunteering in Portugal for the past 16 years, IPDJ and private non-profit organisations have carried out constant work to promote youth volunteering as a way of contributing to the acquisition of skills and intervening in the community.

The first National Volunteering Plan 2013-2015 (not specifically targeting youth) was created in 2013, established by Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 29/2013. This Plan was a strategy to implement voluntary service and, despite not referring exclusively to youth volunteering, it also provided measures affecting youth.

The Plan was structured into three axes:

Priority 1 – Awareness-raising and dissemination - Making society commit to volunteering, promoting the fundamental values of volunteering and the participation of all citizens. It equally intends to acknowledge how indispensable the dissemination of information and knowledge regarding volunteering is, as well as debate and enhance instituted best practices.

Priority 2 – Promotion and training - Considering the State responsible for a cross-cutting strategy involving the different Ministries, according to strategic action and innovation guidelines that lead to the involvement of State bodies in volunteering.

Priority 3 – Action and development - Supporting the modernisation of the social sector and contributing to the facilitation of the performance of its duties, through the growth and consolidation of the volunteering field; improving the quality and management of both institutions and volunteers.

A set of 13 intervention measures were implemented for each of these axes, properly scheduled and with the involved entities identified.

In July 2017, when CASES received the competencies for the prosecution of volunteering policies, a set of measures was presented to support volunteering, aiming to contribute to the consolidation, expansion and qualification of volunteering work:

• The online platform managed by CASES serves as a flexible tool for connecting volunteers with organisations. It provides essential information for volunteering activities, including the legal framework, responses available, current insurance products, and endorsements (https://cases.pt/)
• Financial support is provided to organisations promoting long-term volunteering actions in the social sector. This support helps cover expenses related to personal accidents and liability insurance for the volunteers they engage.
• A funding line supports training and awareness-raising initiatives in volunteering, aimed at enhancing volunteering work qualifications. This includes capacity-building for both volunteers and the organisations that promote volunteering actions.

While these measures do not exclusively support youth volunteering, they can certainly serve as a consolidating and promoting tool for young volunteers.

Scope and contents

Not applicable.

Responsible authority

Not applicable.

Revisions/ Updates

Not applicable.