Castelo de Sonhos

Castelo de Sonhos, based in Silves (Algarve, Portugal), is a non-profit Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS), created in 1999, with the aim of supporting families, young people and people in situations of social vulnerability.

Mission and values

Its mission focuses on promoting social justice, combating poverty, and providing early and preventive intervention in risk situations, both at the family and individual levels, seeking to support the local community in overcoming difficulties and developing active and viable citizenship.

The Institution prioritizes a preventive and integrative approach: it seeks to identify and intervene in the causes of poverty, reverse or mitigate situations of social fragility, but also strengthen community resources and promote family autonomy.

Since its founding, Castelo de Sonhos has been referred to as a “lifeline” for many families in Silves and the Algarve region, especially in times of crisis or social vulnerability.

The institution has successfully mobilized human and material resources, as well as financial and volunteer support, to meet urgent needs and develop medium- and long-term projects. However, like many charitable organizations, it faces constant challenges: ensuring financial sustainability, maintaining the availability of donations, ensuring the continuity of its interventions, and fostering the autonomy of families assisted in contexts of social vulnerability.