Established in January 2024 as part of the decentralization of competencies, the Braga Social Community of Practice (CoP) has already held 29 collaborative work meetings. The model will be recognized by the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) as a national best practice and potentially replicable nationwide.
The Manual of Procedures and Best Practices for Social Action in the Braga District will be formally presented on October 27, 2026, in the Auditorium of the Aula Magna at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Braga Campus.
The Braga CoP has successfully united the fourteen municipalities of the district – Amares, Barcelos, Braga, Cabeceiras de Basto, Celorico de Basto, Esposende, Fafe, Guimarães, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Terras de Bouro, Vieira do Minho, Vila Verde, and Vizela – and the Braga District Center of the Social Security Institute (ISS, IP) with the aim of eliminating asymmetries in social support and ensuring a fair and equitable response.
This innovative methodology has been used to define guiding principles and common procedures that daily guide the work of approximately 170 professionals from the Social Assistance and Support Services (SAAS) in the territory, resulting in greater operational efficiency, combating duplication of financial aid, and optimizing existing public resources.
The cooperation between the 14 Municipalities and the Braga District Center of Social Security has been the driving force for promoting networking and consolidating shared knowledge.
The manual's presentation event will be attended by representatives from the Braga District Center of Social Security, the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, as well as Mayors and Councilors responsible for Social Action from all 14 municipalities in the district.
