"Protect those who need it most". It was with these words that the Mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Mário Passos, began his intervention in the session of signature of the protocols of support to 15 associations of social, communitarian and humanitarian nature. The formalization of this municipal support, in the global amount of 360 thousand euros, happened yesterday afternoon in the Salão Nobre dos Paços do Concelho.
"We are attentive to social issues, which have worsened in recent years due to the demands of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the economic crisis, and we also remain vigilant of situations of vulnerability caused by inhospitable circumstances of life" highlighted the edil. "It is hard work, which is only possible with the help of the right partners", added Mário Passos who left a public thanks to the institutions of the municipality, for the work developed with the most vulnerable population. "Thank you for your availability and for your commitment in this mission of helping your neighbour (...) it is a vital role in the pursuit of a fairer and more equitable municipality, where everyone has quality of life and feels integrated into society".
The support protocols signed yesterday will serve to support the development of the action plan of six of these entities - 208 thousand euros -, and for refurbishment works and acquisition of equipment of the remaining nine - total amount of 152 thousand euros.
Only in the last 5 years, this same set of entities, which includes ReFood, HumanitAVE, Dar as Mãos, Social Centres, among others, received municipal support of over 1.35 million euros for the mentioned purposes.
José Brandão Ferreira, from the Centro Social e Cultural de Riba de Ave, highlighted the importance of this partnership with the City Hall. It is an "essential support and a recognition that associations want to continue to give their contribution" in the social development of the territory, said the vice-president of this Public Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS), which serves from the youngest to the oldest population.
In the specific case of this institution of Riba de Ave, the support will be channelled to improve the conditions at the level of energy efficiency of its infrastructures. "It is a reality that we all have to face and we have taken a very important step (...) We also want to leave an ecological mark on our planet" said José Ferreira.
Throughout this year, it is also foreseen the execution of municipal support protocols with other famalicense institutions that were not contemplated in this wave.