Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation supports 28 civil society projects dedicated to integration
The number of foreign residents in Portugal has more than doubled since 2021. In 2025, more than 1.5 million foreign residents were living in the country, representing around 14.5% of the resident population.
Against this backdrop, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation launched a call for proposals to support, over a period of 12 to 18 months, civil society projects that promote the integration of immigrants with the active involvement of host communities in Portugal.
Out of 286 applications received from organisations based in 73 municipalities across Portugal, an external jury selected 28 projects (16 from Greater Lisbon and the West region, six from the North, three from Alentejo, two from the Centre region, and one from Algarve). The proposals cover a wide range of interventions, with a particular emphasis on Portuguese language and culture learning and labour market integration.
This initiative seeks to strengthen civil society’s capacity to generate local, innovative, and sustainable solutions for immigrant integration, helping to build a fairer and more supportive society, increase economic productivity and competitiveness, and enrich the country through diversity and new perspectives – benefiting both immigrants and the communities that welcome them.
The Foundation is supported in this initiative by the Portuguese Bar Association, which is involved in approximately 80% of the projects that include the provision of local legal assistance.
As part of this partnership, the Bar Association will establish a pool of lawyers in each geographical area. These professionals will be available to partner organizations to provide legal assistance to migrants and, within the limits defined by each project, to vulnerable Portuguese citizens.
Project Summary
IntegrantesProject – Terras do Regadio Development Association
A mobile intervention in agricultural areas of the municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo aimed at facilitating access to information, rights, and services, providing legal, social, and training support through intercultural mediation between migrants, institutions, and the local community. Strong coordination with public services, local authorities, employers, and civil society.
BÚSSOLA Project – Support for Immigrant Integration in the Algarve Region
Creation of an intermunicipal group involving 16 Algarve municipalities to coordinate migrant integration responses and provide direct support to vulnerable migrants in Loulé and Albufeira through public sessions, individual assistance, and a multilingual digital platform expected to reach 18,000 users.
I-NascerProject – AFIMMC – Association for Training and Research
Reducing language barriers between migrant women (from South Asian communities) and maternal healthcare services in Lisbon. Through a community-based model, the project seeks to ensure more equitable, timely, and informed access to care and a safer pregnancy and parenting experience.
WorkTalk+ Project – Jesuit Refugee Service Portugal (JRS)
Labour market integration of vulnerable migrant workers through close support, including language and intercultural training, workplace training, and support for employers in creating inclusive workplaces and diversity management practices.
We Care Project – São Pedro Reception Centre
Integrated access to healthcare, rights, and well-being through a Mobile Integration Unit (a truck equipped with three rooms) travelling across the parishes of Torres Vedras, providing local services such as registration with the National Health Service, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and activities promoting literacy, autonomy, and social inclusion.
Casa do Mundo Project – Porto Intercultural / Espaço TAssociation
Implementation of an integrated and participatory model for the integration of vulnerable immigrants in Porto, offering in one location local support services, Portuguese language training, employability support, and intercultural participation opportunities.
LIMA Alentejo Project – Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Beja
Creation of a territorial Living Lab promoting co-creation between farmers and migrants to improve access to employment, reduce vulnerability to labour exploitation, and strengthen cooperation among partner organizations. Includes technical, language, citizenship, and workplace safety training tailored to migrants and agricultural employers.
HinMigraçãoProject – ADEIGE Association
Support for the socioeconomic integration of Hindustani communities through a multilingual information network, a regional support network, local legal assistance in Oeiras and Lisbon, entrepreneurship and employability support, and nationwide dissemination through the digital channel Bangla Notícias.
IntegraCareProject – Covilhanense Mutual Association
A mobile outreach model supporting migrants and refugees in the municipality of Covilhã through social guidance, healthcare support, legal assistance, intercultural mediation, language training, and workplace interventions promoting inclusive and intercultural working environments.
Ponto de Encontro Project – Monte AlegreAssociation
Promoting the full integration of immigrant youth (18–35) in Odemira through an intersectoral network connecting employment, culture, and reception services. Includes psychosocial support and community, cultural, and sports activities involving both migrants and the local community.
Start in Leiria Project –InpulsarAssociation
Development of a community space providing local activities through outreach work, volunteering, Portuguese language training, individual support, capacity building, and intercultural participation for migrants living in Leiria.
Integrar+ Project – Mundo Feliz Association
Promotion of access to employment, legal support, and Portuguese language courses to strengthen the autonomy, dignity, and participation of immigrants living in Oeiras and neighbouring municipalities. Includes a Psychosocial Support Office with emergency psychological assistance and collective mental health activities.
CiberescolaIntegra+ Project – Aprendo Português Association
Expansion of Portuguese as a Non-Native Language teaching teams and integration services within the Ciberescola programme, currently serving 74 school clusters. The project also supports migrant families with school-age children through digital skills training and in-person legal assistance when needed.
Porto de Encontro Project – Portuguese Caritas
A community-based intervention using mentoring and outreach across all parishes of Porto, improving access to information and employability skills while promoting psychosocial well-being. Includes a consultative group and collaboration with the local community.
Village Project – Integrated Housing Response – Padre Alves Correia Centre
Creation of a community network for affordable housing using Catholic Church properties and the Caritas Diocesan Network. Includes volunteer community mediators and legal and psychosocial support for immigrant families in the Lisbon metropolitan area.
MK 2.0 – Digital Democracy in Monte Kapta – Cristo Rei Social and Parish Centre
Acquisition of a mobile unit (MK Móvel) to provide proximity-based support to migrants living in Costa da Caparica and Pragal, facilitating access to information and rights through legal support and intercultural mediation.
RUMO Project – Riverside Lisbon Project Association
Creation of a labour market integration model using personalised support, skills recognition, and the AI tool “Equivalent Profile” to improve continuity, consistency, and autonomy in social and professional integration across Lisbon.
Jobs Airport Project –LifeshakerAssociation
Promotion of educational, social, and professional integration for immigrant youth (14–24) living in the informal neighbourhoods of Penajóia and Raposo (Almada), through community engagement and coordination of educational, social, and economic resources.
MezzeEscola+ Porto Project – Pão a Pão Association
Replication in Porto of a professional integration model for vulnerable migrants, especially women, through certified training and entrepreneurship support in the hospitality sector.
Sintra Integra Mais Project – Olho VivoAssociation
Improving the integration of immigrant communities in Sintra through employment support activities, mentoring, internships, job placement services, housing support, Portuguese language courses, and digital skills development.
Caminhos para Inclusão Social Project –StartSocial Cooperative
Operation of a mobile service unit providing support with employment, regularisation processes, healthcare, and language skills across urban parishes of Loures, alongside health and community cohesion activities.
Open Doors Braga Project –TeseAssociation
Pilot implementation of a modular and personalised employability pathway, inspired by Nordic models, for vulnerable migrants in Braga, with active involvement from local communities and businesses.
Ponte do Talento Project – Crescer na MaiorAssociation
Certified training in personal, social, and hospitality-sector skills delivered in real work environments in Lisbon, involving employers in inclusive recruitment practices and supported by mentoring.
ComunidadeMEERU 2.0 Project – Meeru Association
Organisation of intercultural meetings and events in Porto, supported by a digital platform, promoting mutual support, social mediation, empowerment, professional integration in social enterprises, and cohesion between migrant and local communities.
Aldeia Transição Project – Inteligência LocalAssociation
Testing a rural “Transition House” model in Vilares da Vilariça, Alfândega da Fé, providing affordable housing, employment support, economic autonomy, and long-term settlement opportunities for migrant individuals and families.
No Walls Project – Bairro Horizonte Residents’ Association
Implementation of a Mobile Service Desk connecting migrant communities in Marvila, Beato, and Penha de França with services and legal support. Includes training informal migrant leaders to support and promote the service.
Common Roots Project – ABUNDANTQUOTIDIAN Association
Using food and sustainable production as tools for engagement and inclusion of migrants living in Arroios, Lisbon, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in urban agriculture, sustainable cuisine, and cultural tourism.
AlmadaAcolhe-teProject – IN_ACTU_VITAE – Association for Intergenerational Cooperation
Promotion of access to rights, social and professional integration, and educational success for highly vulnerable migrant children in Almada through coordinated and community-based support responses.