In Portugal, the first YoPA‘s spin-off protocol, the intervention is being held in the parish of Algueirão-Mem Martins, located in the municipality of Sintra, very close to Lisbon (the capital). It is the most populous parish in the country, with 68,649 inhabitants according to the 2021 Census. The age distribution shows that children and adolescents (0–14 years) make up approximately 15% of the population, and young adults (15–24 years) about 12%.
Socially and economically, Algueirão-Mem Martins presents a diverse and complex landscape. Educational levels vary, with a majority holding basic or secondary education. The parish is supported by several social welfare programs and institutions that assist families in need and people experiencing homelessness.
The immigrant population is significant, making the parish one of the most ethnically diverse in the Sintra municipality. Major immigrant groups originate from Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola, Brazil, Romania, Ukraine, and China. Their integration is supported by local associations and the Municipal Integration Plan for Migrants, though issues such as discrimination and unequal access to opportunities persist.
Housing conditions present another challenge, with cases of overcrowding and substandard housing in certain areas. Sintra’s Local Housing Strategy identifies the parish as a priority for urban rehabilitation efforts.
The main local partner of the project is CIAPA, a youth association that focuses its activity on “Non-formal education as a complement to formal education”, with an emphasis on experimental science teaching within the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In the social field, the association develops innovative projects aimed at promoting inclusion, integration, and the academic, social, and personal success of individuals. This is achieved through practical and experimental activities that foster the development of transversal skills, supporting the transition to active life, with a focus on employability and entrepreneurship.
The teenagers participating in the project are 12-16 years old and three PhD students and their supervisors from Lusófona University, in the field of Sports, Education, Physical Activity and Health, are the ones developing the implementation of the spin-off intervention.
The first co-creation phase took place from May 9th to June 30th of 2025, with a group of 15 teenagers, selected by the CIAPA Association.
See the intervention location and some images below:
