The educational communities of Matosinhos celebrated their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, excelling in various initiatives of the Eco-Schools Program. The results were announced on October 8th, at the Green Flags Day – Eco-Schools Award 2026 ceremony, held in Sintra, which gathered over 3000 participants from across the country.
Promoted by the Blue Flag Association for Environment and Education (ABAAE), the program marked 30 years in Portugal, awarding 2081 educational establishments in 261 municipalities. The Green Flags awarded to Matosinhos schools reflect the integration of sustainable practices into daily school life.
Alternância – Escola Profissional won first prize in the Mediterranean Diet Game, as well as first place in the Brigada Verdão challenge and second in the Jogo Verdão, initiatives promoting healthy eating habits and responsible resource use.
The Jardim-Escola João de Deus – Matosinhos secured first national place in the Illustrate to Reforest challenge, focused on the importance of forests. Escola Básica Eng.º Fernando Pinto de Oliveira achieved two second places: one in the O Mar Começa Aqui contest, concerning marine environment preservation, and another in the Collage of a Native Portuguese Animal challenge, about biodiversity conservation.
Other national distinctions include the second prize for Escola Básica n.º 2 de Perafita in the My School Model challenge, and second place for Escola Básica das Ribeiras in the WETLANDS – A Treasure to Conserve challenge, focusing on wetland protection.
In total, 24 educational establishments in Matosinhos received the Eco-Schools Green Flag for the 2025/2026 academic year, recognizing the involvement of the entire educational community. The municipality of Matosinhos was also distinguished by ABAAE as «Eco-Schools Partner Municipality 2026», in the category for municipalities with 20 to 29 awarded schools, highlighting its supportive role in the program's implementation.
