CERCIPOM. Seja

What CERCIPOM. Seja does

CERCIPOM — Cooperativa de Educação, Reabilitação, Capacitação e Inclusão de Pombal, CRL — is a Portuguese Social Solidarity Cooperative (Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social) and recognized IPSS (Private Institution of Social Solidarity) founded in 1979 in Pombal, Portugal. The organization operates as a non-profit providing integrated rehabilitation and inclusion services for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities across the full lifecycle, serving approximately 150 beneficiaries daily. Its seven core service lines include CACI (Occupational Activities Center) for capacity building, Lar Residencial (Residential Home), Centro de Formação e Inclusão Socioprofissional (Vocational Training Center), Intervenção Precoce (Early Intervention for children 0-6), CRI (Inclusion Resources Center for school-age children), RAI (Independent Living Residence), and a hydrotherapy pool.

The organization's core delivery model is human-centered service provision rather than technology-based. Services are delivered through four physical facilities across Pombal and Guia (Pombal municipality, Leiria district) and through partnerships with mainstream schools, hospitals, and employers. CERCIPOM does not charge fees to beneficiaries; revenue is generated through a combination of government subsidies (Social Security atypical cooperation agreements, IEFP co-funding), EU co-financed programs (POISE, PESSOAS 2030, PRR/Recovery and Resilience Plan), donations (including IRS tax designation at 0.5%), and modest product sales from client-produced handcrafts. The organization holds EQUASS European Quality Assurance, DGERT training entity, and Portuguese Ministry of Education CRI accreditations.

CERCIPOM is the only institution in Pombal municipality providing comprehensive disability services across all levels of care, with a 45+ year track record, deep integration into the local social services network (15+ strategic partners including municipal government, hospital, school clusters, and national federations FENACERCI and Formem), and a board of statutory bodies elected for the 2024/2027 quadriennium. Governance follows a cooperative structure with General Assembly, Direction (Board), and Fiscal Council rather than a shareholder model.

Name

CERCIPOM. Seja

Legal name

CERCIPOM - Cooperativa de Educação, Reabilitação, Capacitação e Inclusão de Pombal, CRL

Website

https://cercipom.org.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CERCIPOM is a Portuguese Social Solidarity Cooperative (IPSS) founded in 1979 in Pombal, providing integrated rehabilitation and inclusion services to ~150 people with intellectual and multiple disabilities across seven service lines spanning early intervention, vocational training, residential care, and independent living, funded primarily through government subsidies and EU co-financing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pombal

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Subsidies: CERCIPOM receives government funding through partnerships with Social Security (Segurança Social), IEFP (Institute of Employment and Vocational Training), and European funding programs including POISE, PESSOAS 2030, and PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan). These provide operational funding for social responses including residential homes, occupational centers, and vocational training.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts monetary donations through bank transfer and in-kind contributions under the Patronage Act (Mecenato), which provides tax benefits to donors. Taxpayers can also designate 0.5% of their IRS to CERCIPOM (NIF: 500 925 895).
3. Product Sales: CERCIPOM sells handcrafted products made by clients including woodwork, tapestries, embroidery, and decorative items. These are offered through their product showcase and help fund the organization while providing occupational activities for clients.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CERCIPOM is a social solidarity cooperative delivering rehabilitation, education, vocational training, and residential care services for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities in Pombal, Portugal. Its core offering encompasses seven integrated social responses — occupational activities, residential accommodation, vocational training, early intervention, school inclusion support, supported autonomous living, and therapeutic hydrotherapy — funded primarily through government subsidies, EU co-financed programs, and donations. The organization also sells handcrafted products made by clients to support occupational activities and fundraising.

Product overview

Cercipom is a Social Solidarity Cooperative providing a comprehensive ecosystem of rehabilitation and inclusion services for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. The organization operates seven core services: CACI (Occupational Activities Center) for capacity building, Lar Residencial (Residential Home) for accommodation, Centro de Formação (Vocational Training Center) for professional qualification, Intervenção Precoce (Early Intervention) for children 0-6, CRI (Inclusion Resources Center) for school support, RAI (Autonomous Living Residence) for independent living, and Piscina (Swimming Pool) for hydrotherapy. These services are complemented by a products program where clients create handcrafted items for sale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CACI - Centro de Atividades e Capacitação para a Inclusão (Occupational Activities Center) Day support center for adults (18+) with intellectual and multiple disabilities, providing capacity-building activities (arts, hairdressing, sewing), therapeutic services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and Snoezelen sensory therapy. Operates at Pombal (Avenida Heróis do Ultramar) and Guia locations.
• Lar Residencial (Residential Home) Residential accommodation and psychosocial support for people with disabilities aged 16+ who attend other CERCIPOM services or external education/training structures. Available at Pombal (Rua Memorial do Convento) and Guia locations.
• Centro de Formação e Inclusão Socioprofissional (Vocational Training Center) DGERT-certified vocational training center providing professional qualification programs for people with disabilities and incapacities, co-financed by POISE and PESSOAS 2030 programs. Located at Rua António Champalimaud, Zona Industrial da Formiga, Pombal.
• Intervenção Precoce (Early Intervention) Early intervention service for children aged 0-6 with developmental delays or disabilities, including family support and inclusion preparation. Operates under SNIPI for the municipalities of Pombal, Ansião, and Alvaiázere.
• CRI - Centro de Recursos para a Inclusão (Inclusion Resources Center) Specialized support center for school-age children with special educational needs attending mainstream public schools, providing specialized therapies and transition preparation. Accredited by the Ministry of Education and partnered with school clusters including Agrupamento de Escolas de Pombal.
• RAI - Residência de Autonomização e Inclusão (Autonomous Living Residence) Supported independent living residence for people with disabilities aged 18+ capable of semi-independent living, focusing on self-determination, autonomy training, and community participation. Funded under PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan).
• Piscina (Swimming Pool / Hydrotherapy) 11m x 7.5m swimming pool facility attached to the Residential Home, offering hydrotherapy, aquarobics, baby swimming (6-24 months), and swimming for special populations and external entities. Includes Group A and Group B swimming lessons.
• Produtos Cercipom (Handcrafted Products) Handcrafted products including wood decorations, embroidered items, tapestries, and personalized items for baptisms, weddings, and gifts, created by clients in vocational training and occupational programs as a fundraising and occupational activity channel.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Câmara Municipal de PombalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partnership providing local support, funding, and coordination for disability services in Pombal municipality. Part of broader local social action network.
• IEFP - Instituto do Emprego e Formação ProfissionalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational employment and vocational training institute providing co-funding and accreditation for CERCIPOM's vocational training programs for people with disabilities. Major source of operational funding.
• Centro Distrital de Segurança Social de LeiriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional social security office providing funding through Atypical Cooperation Agreements for residential home, CACI, and other social services. Primary government funding partner.
• FENACERCI - Federação Nacional das Cooperativas de Solidariedade SocialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of social solidarity cooperatives representing CERCI organizations across Portugal. CERCIPOM participates in the Pirilampo Mágico campaign through FENACERCI. Provides advocacy, support, and network coordination.
• DREC - Direção Regional de Educação do CentromajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional education authority supporting the CRI (Centro de Recursos para a Inclusão) accreditation and school inclusion programs. Provides funding for specialized educational support services.
• Hospital Distrital de Pombal / CHL - Centro Hospitalar de LeiriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partnership providing health services coordination, referrals, and integrated care for clients with disabilities requiring medical attention.
• INR - Instituto Nacional de ReabilitaçãomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational rehabilitation institute providing guidance, standards, and support for disability services. Grants NGO status for disability organizations.
• IPL - Instituto Politécnico de LeiriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolytechnic institute partnership for academic collaboration, student placements, and research in disability and rehabilitation fields.
• Formem - Federação dos Centros de Formação Profissional do Emprego de Pessoas com DeficiênciacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation for vocational training centers serving people with disabilities. CERCIPOM participates in the whistleblowing channel through Formem's platform. Provides advocacy and coordination.
• ETAP - Escola Tecnológica e Artística de PombalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and artistic school partnership for web development cooperation, having helped create CERCIPOM's website in 2010.
• Rede Social / CLAS - Conselho Local de Acão SocialmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal social action network where CERCIPOM integrates the Executive Committee and CLAS, coordinating social services across the municipality.
• Business Community (Protocol Employers)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal business partnerships through protocols for professional integration of people with disabilities. Companies provide employment and training opportunities for CERCIPOM clients completing vocational programs.
• Agrupamento de Escolas de PombalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool cluster partnership for CRI services, providing support for students with special educational needs in mainstream schools.
• Escola Superior de Saúde de Aveiro (UA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity health sciences faculty partnership for student placements and academic collaboration in rehabilitation fields.
• Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, CoimbraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution partnership for psychology and rehabilitation student placements and academic collaboration.
• Stª Casa de Misericórdia de PombalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charitable institution partnership within the social network for coordinated social action in Pombal.
• Apepi - Associação de solidariadade socialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal social solidarity association providing social store, local volunteer bank, and dream nuclei programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CERCI Coimbra: Social solidarity cooperative providing disability rehabilitation, vocational training, and residential services in the Coimbra region under the same CERCI cooperative model. Direct comparable in structure, funding sources, and service portfolio.
• CERCICA: Cooperativa para a Educação e Reabilitação de Cidadãos Inadaptados de Cascais, providing CACI, residential, vocational training, and early intervention services in the Cascais municipality. Operates the same multi-service disability model as CERCIPOM.

Broad incumbents

• APPACDM Portugal: Associação Portuguesa de Pais e Amigos do Cidadão Deficiente Mental is the largest nationwide federation of disability services organizations in Portugal, providing CACI, residential, and vocational programs. Broad incumbent operating the same model across many regions.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa: Large historic Portuguese social services institution providing residential care, rehabilitation, and social inclusion services across multiple populations including people with disabilities. Operates at substantially greater scale with overlapping service categories.
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa: Portuguese Red Cross delivers social support services including disability programs, residential care, and rehabilitation. Broad incumbent humanitarian organization with overlapping social services and government funding relationships.

Others

• FENACERCI: Federação Nacional das Cooperativas de Solidariedade Social is the national federation representing CERCI cooperatives like CERCIPOM. Provides advocacy, training, and coordination services; partner rather than direct competitor.
• Formem: Federação dos Centros de Formação Profissional do Emprego de Pessoas com Deficiência is the national federation of vocational training centers for people with disabilities. CERCIPOM is a member; provides advocacy and program coordination in the same vocational training domain.
• Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitação, I.P. Portuguese national rehabilitation institute that grants ONGPD status to disability NGOs and provides regulatory guidance to organizations like CERCIPOM. Regulatory and standards body rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• CERCIG: Cooperativa de Ensino e Reabilitação de Cidadãos Inadaptados da Guarda operates under the same CERCI cooperative model in the Guarda region, providing disability rehabilitation and vocational services in inland Portugal.
• CERCIBRAGA: CERCI cooperative serving the Braga region in northern Portugal with similar disability services portfolio including occupational activities, residential care, and vocational training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cercipom

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CERCIPOM. Seja