Faro, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António councils have been considered worthy of the title ‘Most Family-Responsible Municipality’ (Autarquia + Familiarmente Responsável) and were set to receive a commemorative flag at the National Association of Municipalities’ headquarters in Coimbra on Wednesday, November 19.
It’s all part of an initiative by the Portuguese Large Families Association (APFN), which in 2002 set up a team of experts who analyse family-related policies of Portuguese municipalities, awarding those that offer families the best possible living conditions.
It was the sixth and fourth year in a row that VRSA and Faro made Portugal’s most family-friendly municipalities, while Castro Marim received the distinction for the second consecutive year.
To make the list, municipalities must promote family-friendly policies in areas such as maternity support, education, health and transportation, among others.
Making it easier for council workers to balance their job and family life is also an important factor in the equation.
Says APFN, the municipalities that live up to these requirements are then praised for their work and promoted as “examples” for other municipalities.
Both Faro and VRSA stressed that it was measures like their special water tariff for families that won them the distinction.
The full list of awarded municipalities includes: Abrantes, Águeda, Amadora, Angra do Heroísmo, Boticas, Braga, Cantanhede, Cascais, Castro Marim, Coimbra, Estarreja, Faro, Funchal, Fundão, Gouveia, Guarda, Lisboa, Loures,Lousã, Mação, Mealhada, Mértola, Miranda do Corvo, Montijo, Oeiras, Pinhel, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Santarém, Seia, Sintra, Torres Novas, Vieira do Minho, Vila Franca de Xira, Vila de Rei, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Vila Real, Vila Real de Santo António.
