The Municipality of Monção, Portugal, developed, throughout 2024, a set of initiatives and projects in the area of support for families.
This article shares some news from Monção that highlight the good practices implemented by the municipality as well as existing policies.
Source: Notícias de Monção
Development of activities to support families during school breaks:
Families and school children participated in outdoors Christmas celebrations during December and January. Wrapped up in the Christmas spirit, the days were filled with various recreational, cultural and sporting activities.
In the summertime, the children were able to enjoy a day of playing outside as well as working together on a mural, with the help of artist Puskas.
Conscious parenting program developments:
In November, the Municipality of Monção hosted a series of parenting development workshops exploring topics such as how to improve family dynamics and promoting healthy and balanced home environments. This year the municipality also hosted for the fourth time a psychoeducational program aimed at supporting informal caregivers, titled “Caring for those who Care”.
Volunteer appreciation and development:
In Monção, appreciating and promoting youth volunteering has been facilitated by local government, through free workshops, school curriculum, partnership with youth environmental organizations such as the Cross-Border Association for Environmental Education (RAIA) and more. The Volunteer Bank of Monção hosted a “Music for little ones” program this year as well, playing live music for preschoolers, pictured here:
Supporting educational and social welfare of families:
As part of the “Monção Social” program, the municipality has also created a school supply subsidy for students and their families. This program constitutes further support by boosting local commerce, since the voucher will have to be discounted throughout the school year at participating local establishments.
Innovative measures to support students with learning difficulties through voluntary work:
Aimed at students from the 1st to the 6th grade with learning difficulties who come from families with economic insufficiency, the “Square Root” program is intended to contribute to the acquisition and development of school skills. It is a volunteer study support program recognized by the Observatory of Family Responsible Municipalities.