Associations, civic engagement, and cultural spaces
Getting involved in associations, volunteering, or politically engaging in Lisbon as a young person is a great way to build your community connections, influence change, and gain valuable experience. Here are some steps and advice on how to get started:
Identify Your Interests and Values
What are you passionate about? Consider what issues resonate with you—whether it’s environmentalism, human rights, social justice, education, arts and culture, or political activism.
Align with your values: Reflect on what you believe in to find associations and causes that match your principles.
Look for Lisbon Based Social Centered places :
Lisbon has a vibrant youth scene with many organizations dedicated to young people. Most of them sell drinks and food, they offer cultural events, discussions, movies sessions, and more, we advise you to follow them on instagram where they post most of their communication. Some examples include:
Associaçao Sirigaita –
https://www.instagram.com/sirigaitalisboa/?hl=en
https://sirigaita.org/
Associação Zona Franca nos Anjos
https://www.instagram.com/zonafrancanosanjos/?hl=en
Associação Disgraça
https://disgraca.com/
https://www.instagram.com/a.disgraca/?hl=en
RDA 69
https://rda69.net/
Casa do Comum
https://www.casadocomum.org/
You can also search for some associations focuses on specific topics :
Jovens Voluntários (Youth Volunteers): Many organizations, like those focused on social work, environmental conservation, and cultural activities, offer volunteering opportunities. Check out this platform to find volunteering opportunities : https://eurocid.mne.gov.pt/voluntariado.
Associação Portuguesa de Jovens Empresários (APJE): For those with an interest in entrepreneurship, this association provides support and networking for young entrepreneurs, here is their website.
Explore Volunteering Opportunities
Under a KA2 project in partnership with Spin and other ONG around Europe it has been created CEVY guide for (civic engagement through volunteering for youth) where we can find a list of opportunities for volunteering for youth!
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IPDJ (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude): a state institution that promotes volunteering and funding opportunities for youth initiatives. Agora Nós: a volunteering program, supported by IPDJ, that offers volunteering to Portuguese youngsters, from 14 to 30 years old, on environment, social solidarity, sports, health and culture and that funds up to 13€ of expenses.
Agora Nós: a volunteering program, supported by IPDJ, that offers volunteering to Portuguese youngsters, from 14 to 30 years old, on environment, social solidarity, sports, health and culture and that funds up to 13€ of expenses.
Bolsa de Voluntariado: it’s from 18 years old with no age limit. It’s a platform where you search or post volunteer opportunities at a national level.
Volunteer for events and festivals: Lisbon is home to many festivals, art shows, and social events that often look for volunteers. Events like Festival Mês da Juventude or Rock in Rio Lisboa are great places to meet like-minded individuals.
Social impact organizations: Many NGOs in Lisbon focus on helping marginalized communities, refugees, or advocating for human rights. Volunteering at places like the following can help you make an impact and guide you to find your opportunity under financed or not financed programmes.
Local volunteers opportunities
An Association that works to promote intercultural dialogue and human right through mobility programmes. Spin is partnered with lots of local associations and can help you to find your volunteer experience.
Refood: Refood mobilizes the community’s resources and its sense of social and environmental responsibility to co-create a more just, caring and sustainable society.
Volunteers can give from 1 to 3 hours per week to collect food and distribute among the beneficiaries.
Just a change: They want to fight the habitational poverty rebuilding homes with volunteers.
Associacao dos Animais de Lisboa : if you like animals, you can have opportunities to take care of them, in your house or in the pet shelter and maybe have a walk with them.
Speak Social: if you want to support the language experience of newcomers in Lisbon and at the same time have the opportunity to be in an international environment, you can try to be what is called a “buddy”.
Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa: they look for different profiles for different volunteering opportunities, check directly with them .
Conselho Português dos Refugiados: they can post several opportunities in their social media pages or you can fill a form for general volunteering.
Join Local Activist Movements
Activist movements
LGBTQiA+
Lisbon has a strong tradition of activism, especially for issues like climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, housing, and social justice. Consider joining movements or grassroots groups that align with your political interests
Europride volunteers
Ilga Portugal it’s an organization main objective the social integration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex population and their families in Portugal through an extended program of:
To be updated on manifestations in Lisbon: https://www.instagram.com/lgbtilisboa/?hl=en
Environmental groups: Portugal has a strong environmental community. Organizations like Quercus and Climaximo are associations that work to protect the environment and focus on environmental protection, where you can join campaigns and activities.
and Zero waste lab to fight against waste.
Housing rights movement
Due to gentrification, some movements were created as Habita Coletivo and Vida Justa to make pacific protests and support people in need of protection of their right for housing.
Student engagement: If you’re at university or planning to enroll, check out student unions (Associação de Estudantes), which often have strong political and social agendas. They are also great spaces to meet people and get involved in student-led initiatives.
Keep an eye on public debates or panel discussions hosted by universities, cultural centers, or political organizations. Many times, these events are open to young people looking to learn and engage.
If you’re studying in Lisbon, your university likely has its own associations or political groups. These student bodies often have a lot of political and social events where you can get involved.
Associação Académica de Lisboa
Getting involved takes time, so be patient and stay committed to the causes you care about. Building relationships in the community and making an impact requires persistence.
Whether you’re volunteering or engaging in political movements, your involvement will be most effective if you commit to the cause over time, rather than jumping in and out!
