The selection of projects to be supported will take place in two phases. In the first phase, entities must submit a brief description of the idea they intend to implement to support the integration of immigrants, along with the expected results that will address and mitigate the identified problems. In the second phase, the selected entities will be required to provide a detailed description of the project, specifying, among other aspects, the general and specific objectives, methodology, description of activities, project components, indicators, timeline, and a detailed budget.

Only entities with a score above 60 points will be eligible to proceed to the second phase. In addition to the second-phase application form, the submission of the following documents will be mandatory: updated statutes of the promoting entity; minutes of the election of the governing bodies currently in office; a detailed budget; a detailed project timeline; and a partnership commitment declaration (if applicable), signed by the respective legal representatives. At this stage, the admissibility of the entities will be assessed.

The Gulbenkian Foundation may request the original documents or additional documentation to verify eligibility and evaluate the application.

The evaluation criteria vary between the two application phases.

In the first phase, proposals are assessed based on the submitted project idea, with four criteria each carrying a 25% weight: relevance, innovation, alignment, and expected results.

In the second phase, the assessment focuses on the project’s feasibility, with four criteria each assigned a weight of 25%: project structure, intervention strategies, sustainability of the activities, and the implementation capacity of the applicant organisation.

In both phases, projects developed in one of the 20 municipalities with the largest foreign population, in both absolute and relative terms, and considering the different Portuguese regions, benefit from an automatic 5% bonus, up to a maximum score of 100 points.

For further information on the evaluation criteria, please refer to Article 12 of the Call Conditions.

All applicants progressing to the second phase are required to appoint a project manager responsible for the overall coordination of the intervention and for liaising with the Foundation.

This professional must have a formal contractual relationship with the applicant entity as of the project start date, must not be a member of the organisation’s governing bodies, and must be available to oversee the day-to-day implementation of activities, ensure compliance with the activity plan, manage relationships with partners, and guarantee the quality and accuracy of the information provided in the reports.

The project manager's nominal identification will only be requested from applications that progress to the second phase.

Partnerships are not required for submitting an application. When relevant, partnerships may strengthen the quality, scope, and sustainability of the proposal.

The same organisation may submit up to three applications as the lead applicant, provided that it demonstrates adequate implementation and management capacity. There is no limit to the number of applications in which an organisation may participate as a partner.

Yes. Partner organisations may receive funding up to 30% of the project’s total budget, provided the allocated amount relates to expenses directly contributing to the project's implementation. The transfer of funds corresponding to this support shall be the responsibility of the lead applicant.

Yes. Public entities are welcome in projects whenever their involvement adds value to the intervention. Where such partnerships are formally established and result in justified project-related expenses, they may also benefit from financial support up to 30% of the project’s total budget.

Yes, provided that its participation is relevant to the success of the project and that the responsibilities assigned fall within the scope of corporate social responsibility, and do not constitute the provision of services.

The mobilisation of informal groups, movements, and collectives is welcome, provided they are not politically motivated and do not promote any religious, worship-related, or missionary activities. Informal groups are not eligible to receive direct financial support. Any expenses associated with their participation must be covered by the lead applicant.

Yes. Any non-profit civil society organisation may act as a lead applicant, provided that it complies with the criteria set out in Article 8 of the Call Conditions.

The primary target group of the call is immigrant individuals living in Portugal. However, for reasons of social cohesion and when Portuguese nationals are in a comparable situation of vulnerability, native Portuguese individuals may also be included, provided they do not exceed 50% of the total participants covered.

For the purposes of this initiative, an immigrant is defined as any person who was born outside Portugal and has moved to the country to live, regardless of the length of stay, the reason for migration (work, study, international protection, or family reunification), or legal status (documentation status).

All individuals may benefit from the services and/or participate in the project activities, provided that such participation is relevant to the success of the project, that there is an equivalent situation of vulnerability, and that they do not constitute the majority of participants.

Yes. The active participation of immigrant individuals and/or local communities is essential and mandatory at the different stages of the project. Projects must ensure that immigrant participation always exceeds 50%.

No. All activities must take place within Portuguese territory and must benefit immigrant people already residing in Portugal. Projects may draw inspiration from, maintain contact with, or collaborate with foreign entities, provided that no project-related expenses are incurred outside Portugal.

Yes. The project may cover multiple territories, provided that the applicant organisation justifies this need, demonstrates adequate implementation capacity, and presents a clear strategy for intervention and local coordination. The project may also have nationwide scope.

Yes. Applications covering one or more of the 20 municipalities with the largest foreign population, in absolute and/or relative terms, will benefit, in both the first and second application phases, from an automatic bonus of 5%, up to a maximum score of 100 points.

In the case of inter-municipal applications, the bonus will only be applied if it is explicitly stated that the priority territory of intervention (which will benefit from the highest number of activities or results) is one of the identified municipalities.

Please refer to the Call Conditions to access the list of priority municipalities.

It is essential that the proposed project idea be well supported by an up-to-date and properly referenced needs assessment. However, if such an assessment does not exist, this absence must be explicitly stated, and information should be collected prior to submission, or the application should include the possibility of conducting the needs assessment as an integral part of the project.

Mandatory actions should represent a larger proportion than complementary actions; however, there is no predefined ratio. The project must include at least one mandatory action and one complementary action, with the selection and coordination clearly justified.

Portuguese language learning courses that certify levels A1, A2 (Basic User) and B1, B2 (Independent User), according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), as established in Ordinance No. 183/2020 of 5 August, in its current version, will not be a priority under this initiative, unless proven fundamental.

Other complementary initiatives that support literacy for foreign nationals and/or reinforce Portuguese language skills will be welcomed, preferably using non-formal education methodologies.

The project should integrate participatory methods, such as co-creating solutions to real problems, involving advisory groups, or promoting collaborative initiatives between immigrants and native populations at various stages of the project, including the design of the application. For this purpose, methodologies described in Article nº 6 of the Call Conditions may be used.

Yes. Previously implemented projects or activities may be included in an application. In the case of methodologies that have been tested with positive results and are replicable, including in other geographical contexts, such replication will be valued. When replication involves intellectual property rights or other rights, the appropriate legal authorisations must be obtained.

Only projects that are not already funded at the start date will be eligible for funding. However, activities that deepen an existing intervention may be funded, provided it is clear how the financial support will improve or expand the intervention's results or reach. Funding covers only expenses incurred after the contract start date. Double funding is not permitted.

Yes, it is allowed and encouraged. The mobilisation of volunteers, regardless of their origin, is eligible as an intervention methodology and may be counted as in-kind co-financing, provided that the work is formally documented and objectively valued, and that the activity benefits immigrant people in Portugal.

Please refer to the Explanatory Notes to access the methodology for calculating volunteering hours for this purpose.

Yes. Organisations may hire personnel for the project, provided the hires are justified, proportionate, and directly related to the planned activities. Costs must comply with the rules on eligible expenses and be properly documented. Whenever relevant, continuity of the roles after the end of the funding period should be ensured.

An opinion from the local “Rede Social” is not mandatory. However, for projects at the municipal level, coordination with the Social Network and recognition of the application’s merit and relevance by other organisations operating in the territory will be positively considered during evaluation. Whenever such an opinion is obtained, it should be mentioned in the application.

As a general rule, no. Exceptionally, this may occur if the income does not result from services or activities funded under this grant (for example, legal consultations financed by the initiative cannot be charged to participants). Any income generated must be fully reinvested in the project. All income must be declared in the budget and in the implementation reports, ensuring transparency and sound financial management, in compliance with the applicable rules and legal provisions.

Yes, provided that there is no double-counting of the same expenses. Each cost may only be financed by a single funding mechanism. This grant may, however, complement other funding sources, provided that the necessary justification is presented.

Entities progressing to the second phase of the application process must demonstrate how they will ensure the 10% co-financing. If this condition is not met, the project cannot be contracted, or the contract may be terminated. Co-financing may be provided in cash or in-kind, such as the provision of space, equipment, allocation of human resources, or volunteer work.

Please refer to the Call Conditions and the Explanatory Notes for clarification on volunteer work.

The Regulations do not set a specific limit, but costs are expected to be proportionate, reasonable, and appropriate to the scale and objectives of the project. The Foundation may request clarification if costs are considered disproportionate.

The purchase of equipment is permitted, provided it is essential to the implementation of the planned activities and is well justified in the budget submitted for the second phase.

The purchase of vehicles may be considered eligible, provided that the applicant organisation clearly demonstrates that the vehicle is necessary for the implementation of the project activities (for example, itinerant activities or support in dispersed territories) and that there is capacity to ensure its maintenance and use for the same purpose after the end of the funding period. The vehicle must therefore serve a direct role in supporting the integration of immigrants and ensuring continuity in the post-funding period.

As a general rule, no, since the funding does not cover construction, major structural renovations, or large-scale interventions in properties, particularly when these involve infrastructure or services under state responsibility. However, small adaptations or functional improvements to properties may be considered eligible, provided they are part of strategic and sustainable interventions aimed at improving or creating solutions for the integration of immigrants.

These expenses must be proportionate, well justified, aligned with the activity plan, and fully transparent in the budget. Structural interventions, improvements, or interventions beyond the project's scope will not be eligible.