On SIC, with Fátima Lopes
Our president, Cecília Minascurta, was a guest on SIC's Caixa Mágica programme with Fátima Lopes, taking the association's work to the whole country.
About us
An open hand to the world.
We are an immigrants' association that supports, every single day, those who arrive in Portugal to build a new life, of all nationalities, at every stage of integration.
Our mission
Supporting integration, every step of the way.
Mundo Feliz exists so that no immigrant has to face bureaucracy, the language or the search for work and housing on their own.
In our front office, qualified mediators inform, clarify and guide people through the problems tied to integration: from legalisation and nationality to family reunification, social security, health, education and training, employment, entrepreneurship, legal support and housing.
We work in a network with AIMA (formerly ACM), the CLAIM network, the Oeiras City Council and several local institutions and associations, so that everyone finds, in a single place, the right way forward.
Membership fee: €40/year.
Our history
Born from those who lived integration.
Before Mundo Feliz, Cecília Minascurta had already been supporting immigrants for five years at the “Ponto Imigrante”, part of the CLAIM network. In 2011, with a group of Romanian immigrants who had lived integration first-hand, she decided to make that help her profession and open the doors to all nationalities. What began through word of mouth became a nationwide point of reference.
- 2011
Cecília Minascurta founds the association in Algés, on 21 September, with a group of Romanian immigrants, open to all nationalities from day one.
- 2013
The first dedicated front office opens, on Rua Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, in Algés.
- 2018
A second space opens, on Rua Luís de Camões, in Algés, to meet the needs of those who come to us.
- 2022
At the end of the year, after the Algés floods, we leave the two spaces on Rua Dr. Manuel de Arriaga and Rua Luís de Camões.
- 2023
Move to our current headquarters, on Rua Parque Anjos, in Algés.
- Today
8 staff, more than 30 volunteers and 21,000 members from 68 nationalities, in Algés.
Our values
What drives us.
Welcoming
We welcome newcomers without judgement, with an open hand and a door that is always open.
Dignity
We treat every person with respect, whatever their origin, language or background.
Closeness
We support each case closely, step by step, until it is resolved.
Community
We bring together those who arrive and those who welcome, building bonds between cultures.
Our impact, in numbers.
21 000
members since 2011
68
nationalities supported
+15
years of activity
+30
qualified volunteers
In the media
Mundo Feliz on national television.
The work of the association and its founder has been featured on several Portuguese television programmes.
On RTP1's O Preço Certo programme
We took part in the O Preço Certo programme, on RTP1, bringing Mundo Feliz to another stage of Portuguese television.
On RTP1's A Nossa Tarde programme
We were on the A Nossa Tarde programme, on RTP1, to talk about the Equipment Bank and how we reach those who need it most.
The team
The people who make it happen.
A team of 8 specialist staff and more than 30 qualified volunteers, led by founder Cecília Minascurta.
Be part of Mundo Feliz.
Whether you want to ask for support, volunteer, become a member or a partner, there is always a way to get involved.