The Municipality of Mealhada has once again been recognized for the quality of its work, securing six Municipal Excellence Awards 2026. These accolades, awarded by Cidade Social, cover projects in the areas of sports, youth, tourism, environment, and the promotion of active aging, reflecting the diversity of municipal initiatives and their connection to the community.
The award ceremony took place this Thursday as part of the IV Social City Congress, held between Lagoa and Portimão in the Algarve. The event brought together municipalities from across the country to share experiences and recognize projects contributing to territorial development.
Among the distinguished projects, the + Movimento Sénior project received an award in the Quality Category for its senior physical activity programs aimed at active and healthy aging. In the Sports area, the work developed in organizing sports events was recognized with the Municipal Excellence for Sports Events – Organization, Quality, and Impact on the Territory award.
In the Youth area, Zona 231, a brand that structures and gives identity to the municipal policy for young people, received distinction. In Tourism, the Thematic Visits Program was awarded for promoting knowledge and discovery of the municipality's heritage and resources.
In the Free Theme category, the project CompostaME – A Vision for the Future stood out, focusing on the valorization of organic waste, composting, and the adoption of more sustainable practices. The Municipality of Mealhada presented this project as a national success story, with remarkable growth in this area.
António Jorge Franco, president of the Câmara Municipal de Mealhada, stated that these distinctions represent recognition of daily work aimed at improving the population's quality of life. "These are six recognitions that make us proud, especially because they reflect the work we do on the ground, with projects that reach people, mobilize the community, and help build a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable municipality," he said.
The Municipal Excellence Awards are promoted by Cidade Social, an entity that drives the programs "Municipality Friendly to Sports," "Solidarity Municipality," and "Municipality Friendly to Tourism and Culture." The initiative aims to distinguish municipal projects and practices for their quality, innovation, impact, and contribution to community well-being.
