Since 2002, with the creation of the Social Development Office — currently the Division of Education, Health and Social Development (DESDS) — Mértola Municipal Council has been developing a set of programmes and projects, either as municipal initiatives or in support of entities operating in the territory. These cover the social area, education, health, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, community support, among several other areas that provide a wide range of assistance. This division coordinates projects and partnerships within the social network, which are regularly renewed through the creation of new projects and programmes that assist the senior community across multiple areas of concern:

Senior University of Mértola – A decentralised project operating across 11 hubs and 15 localities, with a learning model that is less academic than that of other Senior Universities located in urban areas. Its decentralised training activities are rooted in the villages and in their cultural appreciation, aiming to promote rural-based local culture and the knowledge of older adults, valuing and projecting it in a dignified way. It offers a set of regular subjects (physical education, cognitive stimulation, cinema, dance, traditional singing, theatre, ICT, which operate according to interest and availability of instructors) and other project-based modules implemented in partnership with local entities (Language and Literature, Environment, Well-being, Health and Safety, Crafts), which rotate between the different hubs. The Senior University organises cultural and educational activities and participates in others arranged by partner organisations.

Mobile Toy Library of Mértola – A social service of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mértola (SCMM), created in 2008 to provide the population of Mértola a set of services and recreational activities for the older community, especially those living far from or isolated from the town centre. It is a mobile service that brings various resources and activities to older residents through a van that travels daily across the municipality, directly benefiting elderly people.

Mobile Unit of Mértola – The Municipal Council’s Mobile Unit carries out various campaigns throughout the year, always with the purpose of improving the quality of life of those who live more isolated, providing health care, advice on nutrition and well-being, among other important areas.

Social Card – Establishes rules to improve the socioeconomic situation of older people, persons with disabilities and low-income families facing heavy healthcare-related expenses, thus contributing to the balancing of the household budget by reducing costs with medicines, as well as municipal tariffs, fees and activities promoted by the Municipal Council.

Housing Improvement Support Programme for Vulnerable Families – Aims to improve the basic living conditions of economically disadvantaged households through support such as conservation, repair or improvement works in degraded homes, including connection to water, electricity and sewage networks. It also supports improvements in safety and comfort for people experiencing mobility challenges or safety risks at home. This includes the development of the corresponding projects for refurbishment, construction or extension works.

On-Demand Transport Service – Seeks to address transport shortages faced by residents, particularly in areas where public transport was insufficient, inadequate or non-existent. The service is provided via taxis with 4 or 6 seats, and for now journeys are limited to predefined routes exclusively within the municipality.

Mértola Friendly Voice (Teleassistance) – A safety system designed to support older residents who are socially and geographically isolated and facing health vulnerabilities. This teleassistance service enables beneficiaries, in emergency situations, to establish immediate contact with the assistance centre through a telephone intercom activated by remote control.

Municipal Gender Equality Plan – Ensures a rigorous diagnosis of situations of unequal rights and opportunities in the municipality, as well as existing needs and resources; promotes awareness on the rights to equality and non-discrimination; ensures equal treatment regardless of sex, ethnic or racial origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, thus reducing tolerance towards any form of discrimination. It also promotes improved accessibility, quality, coordination and efficiency of local services, guided by non-discrimination principles. Finally, it promotes improved efficiency and quality of local services supporting victims of domestic violence.

“You Don’t Need It, I Do!” – Aims to meet the essential needs of vulnerable families by collecting goods and equipment that are no longer useful to some but essential to others.

Social Network – A forum for coordination and pooling of efforts among municipalities and public or private entities to eradicate or mitigate poverty and exclusion and promote social development. It fosters collective awareness of social problems and contributes to mobilising response mechanisms and optimising action at local level.

Mértola Solidária (12 Months – 12 Themes) – A monthly initiative addressing different concerns and intervention opportunities in the territory, promoting solidarity and a shared purpose among all involved. It is based on monthly work that brings together the concerns of the community and local organisations. The municipality prepares a model with suggested interventions, which are adjusted according to needs identified in the territory, grounded in joint partnerships and, above all, serving the community.

Municipal Senior Council of Mértola – A consultative body designed to define the municipal strategy concerning the senior population, ensuring coordination, information sharing and the promotion of older people’s rights, with a view to guaranteeing their well-being, dignity and quality of life.

Support Instruments for Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) of the Municipality – Establishes the annual subsidy amounts granted by the Municipal Council to local IPSS; supports these institutions in achieving their objectives; and ensures that municipal resources are used responsibly and transparently, based on clear and well-defined goals.

Construction of the São Miguel do Pinheiro Residential Home (ERPI) – This project involves the construction of a social infrastructure offering Residential Structure for Older People (ERPI), Day Centre and Home Support Services, with capacity for 63 residents in ERPI, 30 users in Home Support and 30 users in the Day Centre, located in São Miguel do Pinheiro.

Gathering of Retirees, Pensioners and Older People / Cultural and Recreational Outings – These gatherings, aimed at friends and families of the municipality, serve as a special moment of socialisation and reunion, with several cultural and entertainment activities, a traditional lunch, and musical performances throughout the afternoon.

Local Social Action Council of Mértola (CLAS) – Targeted at leaders, professionals and representatives of entities that are part of the Local Social Action Council, it promotes genuine sharing of information and experiences concerning the implementation and consolidation of the National Social Network Programme, in this case within Mértola.

In addition to all these ongoing actions, the Municipal Senior Council (in its initial phase) will add value to these social policies by strengthening collaborative work among partners and, simultaneously, bringing together key local figures who contribute to designing the most effective intervention strategies.
Through these planned initiatives, it is possible to promote healthy ageing by optimising resources to enhance the health, safety and inclusion of older people in the community.
An age-friendly environment is a better place for everyone!