The Manuel António da Mota Foundation and the Mota-Engil Group, in partnership with the TSF, have been promoting the Manuel António da Mota Prize for 16 years.
Created in 2010 with the aim of annually recognizing organizations that stand out in the Foundation’s various fields of activity, more than a thousand organizations from our society have already presented to it and more than one hundred and fifty have been distinguished.
In 2025, the motto of the award was “Semper Solidários”, meaning the commitment to a more fair, cohesive and supportive country.
The award distinguishes institutions that stand out in the fight against poverty and social exclusion, reception and integration of migrants and refugees, enhancement of the interior and territorial cohesion, health, education, employment, family support, innovation and social entrepreneurship, inclusion and digital and technological transition and climate transition.
Perhaps we will not always be aware that several countries coexist in this oldest nation in Europe.
A country far from people, individualistic, often considering itself self-sufficient and, almost always, far from solidarity with others.
And then there is another country. The country where citizens care about the well-being of others, where the misfortune of our fellow man awakens us to the need to help him, the country that is built as a network, calling on all those who can make a contribution to participate.
Whoever writes these lines is not neutral in this assessment. I am an administrator of FMAM and I was at the awarding of all the prizes.
I saw applications from all over the country and I saw applications from the most varied types of activities and initiatives. In common, they all had the generous idea that we can/should always be in solidarity with each other.
This year, in the 16th edition of the award, ten organizations were distinguished.
With honorable mentions to ACAPO – Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Portugal, Brigada do Mar, CAID – Cooperative to Support the Integration of the Disabled, CASA – Support Center for the Homeless, Cultural and Training Assistance Center of Fundão, Lanheses Parish and Social Center and Rui Osório de Castro Foundation.
3rd place was awarded to MADI – Movement to Support the Intellectual Diminished of Vila do Conde and 2nd prize was awarded to Cáritas of Terceira Island.
The Association for the Promotion of Investment in Low Density Territories, based in Miranda do Douro, won this year’s edition with the project Rural Move – Support Platform for New Rural Areas
Initiative that aims to promote investment and repopulation. The project is aimed at everyone who wishes to live, work or invest in rural territories – the so-called “new rural” or Rural Movers – with emphasis on young people, remote workers, entrepreneurs, migrants and the diaspora.
There is a country right next door that we should look at.
Always supportive.
Lawyer and manager