The 24 associations and IPSS awarded with the Capacitar prize, which supports projects that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, mental illness or other pathologies, as well as their families, are already known.
In this prize –granted by BPI and the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation and which is now in its 13th edition– special emphasis is placed on the autonomy, employability and well-being of the beneficiaries. In total, some two thousand people will be reached directly with this year’s help, which amounts to one million euros.
António Barreto, president of the jury that analyzed the 96 candidacies and selected the 24 now recognized, admits that it is difficult to determine the criterion that weighs the most in the group’s decision. However, “within the defined values of support for people with disabilities, as well as their families, it is likely that autonomy, integration and employment, which complement each other to a certain extent, are the criteria that most influence the decisions. ”, he tells the Observer.
The decisions and votes of the jury members are supported by very careful judgments and opinions made by the judging teams. Thus, aspects such as the reliability of the projects, the solidity of the entity, the collaboration of the volunteers, among others, also count”.
Created in 2010, the Capacitar award has so far supported 276 initiatives, worth 8.7 million euros, having already benefited more than 47,000 people. Among the 24 projects contemplated this year, ten are especially focused on the employability of people with disabilities, mental illness or other pathologies.
The Portuguese Association for Developmental Disorders and Autism of Coimbra was recognized in 2016 and 2019. This year, APPDA was awarded again, this time with a protected job creation project for people with autism spectrum disorders in takeaway meals, home delivery and bar open to the public. public
For the president of the jury, in terms of number and values, “these awards will perhaps be the most significant at a national level. But we are far from meeting all the needs of the country and of people with disabilities”, highlights António Barreto. “This sector of the population is broader than it sometimes seems. And it can hide an ‘invisible’ population, of which we are not always aware”.
The sociologist understands that, in this process, “the entities that really support and help are vital. The prizes are intended for them, not to reward them, but to allow them to better fulfill their vocations and tasks”. And he leaves an appeal: “we would like these awards to have a stimulus effect and that other institutions, other companies and other entities follow the example or join actions of this type and directed at this vulnerable population.”
António Barreto admits the importance that these prizes have in the lives of the people and institutions they attend, but he is aware that they only mean an incentive and help to “do good”.
These awards support the efforts of volunteers and all those who help those in need, but we do not change the lives of people and institutions. Still, they are a small help compared to the needs.”
On the other hand, knowing that the prizes are given directly to those who help, “to those who make an effort in their daily projects, guarantees that the means and resources are well used and reach where they should go: those who help and those who are helped” .
In addition to António Barreto, the economists António Seruca Salgado and Carlos Farinha Rodrigues, Juana Prats Montmany, member of the Spanish Observatory on Physical Disability and director of the Department of Collaborations with Social Entities of the “la Caixa” Foundation, are part of the jury for this award. , and Rafael Chueca Blasco, Director of Territorial Actions of the same institution.
Private non-profit institutions awarded in 2022:
- Évora APPACDM: 32,770 euros
- Portuguese Association of Developmental Disorders and Autism of Coimbra: 75 thousand euros
- Sociocultural Association of the Disabled of Trás-Os-Montes: 14,730 euros
- Algarvian Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Mental Disabilities: 34,520 euros
- Matosinhos Association for the Support of Youth with Disabilities: 75 thousand euros
- Association of Solidarity Families with Disabilities (Coimbra): 43,870 euros
- Associação Again – Support for people with traumatic brain injury and their families (Cascais): 13,010 euros
- Association of Parents and Friends Enable (Aveiro): 25,740 euros
- Associação PARA – Autism Support and Resources Project (Pombal): 36,430 euros
- Integrated Pro Citizen Association (Sever do Vouga): 34,500 euros
- Regional Association for Rehabilitation and Sociocultural Integration of the Azores (Ponta Delgada): 73,900 euros
- Lafões Social Solidarity Association (Oliveira de Frades): 22 thousand euros
- CAID – Cooperative to Support the Integration of the Disabled (Santo Tirso): 75 thousand euros
- CAPITI – Portuguese Association for Child Development: 44,340 euros
- Rainha D. Leonor Special Education Center, CRL (Caldas da Rainha): 37,500 euros
- CERCIOEIRAS – Cooperative for the Education and Rehabilitation of Disabled Citizens, CRl: 39,390 euros
- Cooperative for Education and Rehabilitation of Disabled Citizens of Cascais, CRL: 37,230 euros
- Gil Foundation: 37,500 euros
- Active Intervention and Rehabilitation Group (Lisbon): 47,110 euros
- Institute of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Casa de Saúde da Idanha (Sintra): 27,530 euros
- Institute of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – S. José Psychiatric Clinic (Lisbon): 36,930 euros
- NECI – Specialized Center for the Inclusive Citizen (Lagos): 21,940 euros
- Pedrinhas – Social Solidarity Cooperative-Pedro Brazião Rodrigues CRL (Lousã): 71,480 euros
- Pressley Ridge – Amadora Social Solidarity Association: 70,610 euros
This article is part of a series on social solidarity and is a collaboration between the Observer, the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation and BPI. The Capacitar Award supports projects that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, mental illness or other pathologies. Private non-profit institutions that wish to apply for the 2023 edition will be able to do so early next year (dates to be announced).
Source: Observadora
