Third Sector

According to 2010 data from the Instituto Nacional de Estatística [National Statistic Institute] and the Cooperativa António Sérgio para a Economia Social (CASES) [António Sérgio Social Economy Cooperative], the third sector comprised 55,000 different enterprises employing 260,000 people, and contributed some 3.8% to the Portuguese GDP (gross domestic product).

In Portugal there are numerous not-for-profit organisations, indicative of participation in the community by citizens engaged in very diversified causes. The third sector in Portugal includes non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private institutions of social solidarity (IPSSs), foundations, religious organisations, consumer protection associations, human rights organizations, cultural and artistic initiative, and social economy development groups.

Abreu Advogados has a long history of significant advisory work with organisations in the Third Sector, and has an expert team providing support to these entities in a number of different practice areas, ranging from the constitution of the organisation to the development of its activities.