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february 2012

During the European Year of Volunteering the promotion of active citizenship via volunteer work and other forms of civic participation is a fundamental imperative of free and democratic societies and a necessary requirement for the strengthening of civil society.

Volunteering is equally inseparable from the duty and commitment of each one towards our fellow citizens, based on the spirit of unselfshness and solidarity that social cohesion, harmony and peace amongst human communities depend on to a large extent.

Inspired by a relationship of solidarity towards others around us, volunteering contributes in an unbiased manner toward the resolution of social problems and features as an important tool that will enhance the general well-being of society. Based on a relationship of proximity and afection towards people, volunteering proves to be mutually rewarding for those who exercise it and for those who beneft from it and these characteristics

are particularly evident in volunteering actions within the community.

In its 2 nd edition and under the auspices of the Manuel António da Mota Foundation, the Manuel António da Mota Award aims to reward organisations that promote volunteering actions and which are particularly engaged in community volunteering.

The activities and projects developed within this feld could apply to a wide range of population segments, which include the elderly, children and youth, the disabled, the sick and in general any social groups living hardships or socially, economically, psychologically or afectively deprived.

From over 100 applications received from private social solidarity institutions, municipalities, non-proft associations, NGOs and other organisations from the third sector, representing various areas of the country, 10 fnalists were chosen by the selection committee:

The Manuel António da Mota Award aims to reward organisations that promote volunteering actions and which are particularly engaged in community volunteering.