The role and work of the third sector in Portugal

Abstract

The role of the third sector in public service delivery in Portugal has historically been very important. There is a general opinion, though perhaps not a wide consensus, in Portuguese society regarding the involvement of the third sector in public service delivery. Both the current government and its opposition support a strong role for the sector. The European Parliament's decision to designate 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering, supported by each of the 24 MEPs from Portugal, is a marker of this general government support for third sector involvement. In Portugal today, the government continues to give special attention to the third sector, even with the global financial restrictions that come as a result of the current international economic situation.