Social Charter

The eradication of poverty and exclusion and the promotion of social development constitute an area of ​​intervention that has received a strong boost in public policy over the last decade, with the emergence of a new generation of active social policies that express a new understanding of the phenomena of poverty and social exclusion in Portugal.

The multidimensionality of these phenomena suggests difficulties at various levels, therefore, increasingly rigorous, in-depth, and complementary planning in these areas is an essential factor for the success of national, regional, and local public policies.

It is within this highly complex and demanding context that the Municipality of Vila Verde has committed to taking another step forward in the municipality’s social development, responding to the challenges outlined but, above all, demonstrating a strong commitment to the local population, particularly those in situations of greater socioeconomic vulnerability.
Thus, the purpose of developing a SOCIAL CHARTER emerges. This will systematize, on the one hand, the municipality’s current situation, particularly in terms of social responses and projects, and, on the other, allow us to look to the future with a rigorous framework of work and participation by local stakeholders, in order to improve the network of social responses and projects and, ultimately, actively contribute to improving the quality of life of the Vila Verde population.

This document is therefore considered to have two distinct uses:

• Substantive, allowing for a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of social responses and projects, aggregating information and serving as a tool for disseminating information;
• Strategic, as its design [and future revisions] were based on the participation and mobilization of various local stakeholders.

This document fits within this context, supported by a process of participation by local entities involved in social intervention through responses to an online questionnaire.