Ongoing Projects

Stand4Good

Education for Citizenship

Stand4Good stems from the conviction that everyone, without exception, has an absolutely unique potential, but also from the conviction that the right tools are essential for this potential to be realised.

Born with the purpose of supporting university students who, even though they live in a situation of proven financial need and applied for Social Action Grants, were not awarded such grants by a minimum differential.

Stand4Good breaks down its action into 6 pillars of intervention: LEARN, MENTOR, WORK, TALK, ACT and DO IT.

The Learn4Good programme, developed in partnership with the University of Porto, aims to support, on an annual basis, the first young people excluded from Social Action Grants and who meet the eligibility criteria set. The Mentor4Good initiative comprises two programmes: the Personal and Professional Skills Development Programme and the Mentor Programme. Developed in partnership with Argo Partners and a number of external consultants, the Skills Development Programme aims to foster greater self-knowledge and promote the skills most sought after in the labour market, while the Mentor Programme involves the student being supported by a Mentor, who accompanies and guides him/her throughout the academic year. Work4Good is part of a Professional Integration Programme, the main objective of which is to bring students closer to the labour market. Through this programme, scholarship holders have the opportunity to join partner companies, as well as to carry out internships matching their areas of interest. TALK4Good seeks the promotion of inspirational conversations with reference leaders from different sectors and ACT4Good includes a Volunteering Programme, where all young people have the opportunity to contribute to different causes. Lastly, DOIT4Good, seeks to support students in their transition to the labour market and support them during the first year following successful completion of higher education, thus contributing to youth employability.  

In 2021, Stand4Good will be included in the social projects supported by the Fundação Vasco Vieira de Almeida, in the scope of the Mentor Programme.

Testimonials

The day I met Catarina, a criminology student, passionate about criminal investigation and with the dream of joining the Criminal Police, Duarte, a former trainee at VdA, called me to give me the news that he had been admitted, on that very same day, to the Criminal Police, thus fulfilling the dream, which he had once shared with me. Coincidences or omens (whatever it may be), for me it was the sign that, even if I cannot lead Catarina to the ‘Criminal Police’, I can help building a bridge that, who knows one day, will take her there or to a place yet to be discovered. As Catarina's Mentor, I will try to help her find her own skills, develop them and integrate them into what fulfills her. I am grateful for this opportunity to achieve personal fulfilment. Because we, VdA, are much more than just lawyers.

Inês Sotto Mayor | Managing Associate| VdA

My recent involvement with the Stand4Good mentoring project has proved to be a notably enriching experience. Seeing the world through the eyes of a young woman born after the 2000s, understanding her concerns and interests, sharing her worldview and way of looking at reality has offered me much more than what, at first sight, could have been expected. Looking forward to giving back!

Pedro Ferreira de Sousa | Managing Associate, VdA

The work of Fundação VVA goes far beyond the obvious. With an active presence and a keen eye on the greatest needs and challenges of the institutions working in the Social Economy sector, the Fundação has played an absolutely vital role in the life of Stand4Good. Present from the very first moment, it has been tireless in its involvement with the project, both through its financial support, essential for pursuing our mission, and through the mobilisation of its internal team, as part of the Mentoring Programme for the students that we support. It has been a privilege to share this path with those who, like ourselves, believe that Education changes lives. Thank you!

Mafalda Teixeira Bastos e Susana Prata |Founders, Stand4Good

"VdA's mentorship was a privilege! I had the opportunity to get to know a large law firm and meet professionals with a similar background to mine, which allowed me to develop personal and professional skills that will help me a lot in the future. It was an amazing and extremely rewarding experience. I sincerely thank Pedro Ferreira de Sousa and the VVA Foundation for everything!"

Camila, Law Student

“I was very excited to take up the challenge of working with Stand4Good's Mentor Program, but I had no idea it would be such an engaging and rewarding experience. I am fortunate enough to follow Inês on her journey, an outgoing and resolute young woman, who let me into her world and have a front row seat to her experiences during her 1st year of law school, sharing with me not only her everyday hurdles and doubts, but also her joys, achievements, and dreams. I have tried to return the privilege granted to me and always be there for her, to listen, to support and to guide, to challenge, to help broaden her horizons, and to try to quench her enormous curiosity for everything that surrounds her. I can only thank Inês, Stand4Good and the Vasco Vieira de Almeida Foundation!”

Marta Silva, Managing Associate
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