What Comunidade Vida e Paz does

Comunidade Vida e Paz is a Lisbon-based Catholic non-profit organization founded in 1989 under the tutelage of the Patriarchate of Lisbon. It operates an integrated continuum of services for people experiencing homelessness and social vulnerability in the Lisbon metropolitan area, comprising nightly street outreach across four routes serving 500+ individuals, two first-line intervention centers (CIPL and Espaços Aberto ao Diálogo in Alvalade and Amadora), three residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities (Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo with 220 near-permanent beds, Centro de Fátima, and Centro da Quinta da Tomada), and shared reintegration residences in Torres Vedras and Parede. The organization is supported by approximately 110 paid staff and around 600 trained volunteers, and delivers auxiliary programs including organic agriculture (Frescos ComVida), documentation and healthcare access, and major annual events such as the long-running Christmas Party with Homeless People and the Fatima Pilgrimage.

The organization's underlying technology is lightweight and operational rather than product-led. A proprietary georeferencing platform built roughly four years ago enables geographic mapping of the homeless population served, supporting route optimization and more strategic intervention. Digital infrastructure consists of a WooCommerce-powered online donation portal (donativos.cvidaepaz.pt), payment integrations with EasyPay and MB WAY, Google Analytics for web insights, and standard social media channels. In October 2024 the organization received the Order of Merit from the President of Portugal, and its Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo holds EQUASS Assurance quality certification.

The revenue model is diversified across at least eight streams typical of Portuguese social-sector non-profits: one-off and recurring monetary donations (with the 'Amigos da Comunidade' recurring membership starting at €5), IRS and IVA tax consignment under Portuguese law, value-added phone donations, legacies and inheritances, fines consignment, European funding via Portugal 2020/POISE (including POISE-03-4639-FSE-000176), and corporate partnerships with Portuguese retailers and banks such as Pingo Doce, Continente, Lactogal, Novo Banco, BPI, CGD, and Fundação EDP. Go-to-market is direct-to-beneficiary through street teams and centers, complemented by event-driven donor engagement through the annual Christmas Party, Fatima Pilgrimage, and the Alimente Uma Volta fundraising campaign.

Name

Comunidade Vida e Paz

Legal name

Comunidade Vida e Paz

Website

https://cvidaepaz.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Comunidade Vida e Paz is a Lisbon-based Catholic non-profit, founded in 1989, that operates street outreach, residential treatment, and reintegration programs for homeless individuals and people with addictive behaviors across the Lisbon metropolitan area, supported by 110 staff and around 600 volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social services for homeless and vulnerable populations

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless outreach services
• Addiction rehabilitation programs
• Social reintegration support
• Street intervention teams
• Community social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Regular and one-time donations from individuals through multiple channels (bank transfer, MB WAY, Payshop, postal orders), providing tax-deductible receipts under Portuguese fiscal law (Articles 62 and 63 of the Tax Benefits Statute).
2. Recurring Membership (Amigos da Comunidade): Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual subscriptions starting at 5 euros, with donors receiving the quarterly Ser Abrigo newspaper and tax receipts.
3. IRS/IVA Consignment: Portuguese taxpayers can consign 1% of their IRS (income tax) and 1% of IVA (VAT) to the organization at no cost to the donor.
4. Value-Added Calls: Donations through 760 XX XX XX phone numbers with added value.
5. Legacies and Inheritances: Individuals can leave legacies or inheritances to support the organization's mission.
6. Fines Consignment: Organizations can consign fines to support the organization's work.
7. European Funding: Funding from Portugal 2020 and POISE programs, including POISE-03-4639-FSE-000176 for social investment capacity building.
8. Corporate Partnerships: Support from corporations including food retailers, banks, and service companies through donations, sponsorships, and cause-related marketing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Comunidade Vida e Paz provides integrated social services for people experiencing homelessness and social vulnerability in the Lisbon metropolitan area. Its core offerings include nightly street outreach via street teams across four Lisbon routes, first-line intervention through centers such as CIPL and Espaço Aberto ao Diálogo, residential treatment and rehabilitation for people with addictive behaviors (with 220 beds at Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo), and reintegration support including shared housing and employment assistance. The organization also hosts the annual Christmas Party for Homeless People delivering meals, health consultations, and citizenship services.

Product overview

Comunidade Vida e Paz operates as a comprehensive social support organization with three core intervention areas: Centro de Intervenção de Primeira Linha (CIPL) for first-line outreach, Treatment and Rehabilitation services for addiction recovery, and Reinsertion support for housing and employment. The organization runs street teams distributing nightly meals, manages residential centers (including Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo and Centro de Fátima), and organizes annual events including the Christmas Party for homeless people, the Fatima Pilgrimage, and the 'Alimente Uma Volta' fundraising campaign. It maintains an online donation platform with recurring giving options and publishes the annual Ser Abrigo newspaper. The organization is Catholic-founded and supervised by the Patriarchate of Lisbon, celebrating 37 years of operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centro de Intervenção de Primeira Linha (CIPL): First Line Intervention Center focused on identifying needs and expectations of people in homeless situations
• Equipas Voluntárias de Rua
• Festa de Natal com as Pessoas em Situação de Sem-Abrigo
• Jornal Ser Abrigo
• Peregrinação a Fátima
• Campanha Alimente Uma Volta

Products and services

• Centro de Intervenção de Primeira Linha (CIPL) First-line intervention center identifying needs and expectations of people experiencing homelessness, promoting quality of life, and seeking alternative responses through direct engagement and referrals.
• Equipas Voluntárias de Rua Nightly street teams patrolling four routes across Lisbon to distribute supper and create trusting relationships with people experiencing homelessness, motivating them toward treatment and reintegration pathways. Supports over 500 people daily.
• Tratamento e Reabilitação Residential treatment and rehabilitation programs for people with addictive behaviors, delivered through Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo (220 beds), Centro de Fátima, and Centro da Quinta da Tomada (approximately 150 users annually), providing therapeutic, pedagogical, and occupational activities to develop personal, social, and professional skills.
• Reinserção

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,192 health consultations and 277 citizenship consultations during 3-day Christmas event with 1,878 attendees
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and key.

• LactogalsupportingOthersFood company supporting the organization as one of the main institutional partners under the Apoios Principais section.
• Pingo DocesupportingOthersPortuguese grocery retailer providing food donations as part of corporate social responsibility.
• Câmara Municipal de LisboakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLisbon City Hall provides ongoing municipal support and partnership for street outreach activities in the capital.
• Instituto da Segurança Social (ISS)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Security Institute provides institutional support and funding for social programs.
• IEFP - Instituto do Emprego e Formação ProfissionalkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic employment service supporting reintegration programs and employment assistance for beneficiaries.
• ContinentesupportingOthersPortuguese retail chain providing food donations and support through Mission Sorriso program.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de LisboakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtocol signed for temporary accommodation for homeless persons at Espaço Aberto ao Diálogo.
• Associação PRO BONOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono legal association providing legal support to improve justice access for beneficiaries.
• INEMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Emergency Medicine Institute conducted basic life support training at Centro da Quinta do Espírito Santo.
• EdenredsupportingOthersEmployee benefits company organized volunteering action for Frescos ComVida agricultural project.
• Magnesio Design StudiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign studio provides pro bono design services for communications and marketing materials.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fundação o Século: Portuguese social solidarity organization providing shelter, residential care, and reintegration services for homeless and socially vulnerable populations. Operates shelters and reintegration programs in Greater Lisbon, directly overlapping in core service lines.
• AMI - Assistência Médica Internacional: Portuguese humanitarian organization providing health, social, and emergency support to vulnerable populations including homeless and socially excluded individuals. Comparable in operating model, donor-driven funding, and direct service delivery in Portugal.
• Centro Social Paroquial de Lisboa: Parochial social center network under the Patriarchate of Lisbon providing social services, food assistance, and community support including for homeless individuals. Shares the same Catholic institutional umbrella and overlapping service population in Lisbon.
• Re-food: Portuguese volunteer-driven food rescue and distribution organization serving homeless and food-insecure populations across multiple cities. Comparable in volunteer mobilization model and mission focus on feeding and supporting homeless individuals in Portugal.
• Centro Padre Alves Correia (CEPAC): Lisbon-based Jesuit organization providing social support, food assistance, healthcare, and shelter services to homeless, migrants, and people in poverty. Comparable in faith-based origin, Lisbon focus, and comprehensive service approach to vulnerable populations.
• Cáritas Portuguesa: Portuguese Catholic social services organization providing support to people in poverty, homelessness, and social exclusion across multiple regions. Directly comparable in mission, faith-based identity, and service mix spanning shelter, social reintegration, and emergency relief.

Others

• EAPN Portugal - Rede Europeia Anti-Pobreza: Portuguese branch of the European Anti-Poverty Network, focused on advocacy, policy research, and network coordination around poverty and social exclusion. Comparable in beneficiary population but operates as an advocacy and network body rather than a direct service provider.
• Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome: Portuguese food bank network collecting and distributing food to institutions supporting people in need, including those experiencing homelessness. Functions as a supplier/adjacent ecosystem partner to Comunidade Vida e Paz rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa: Large Lisbon-based social institution with a long history of providing social services including housing, healthcare, and emergency support. Already a partner of Comunidade Vida e Paz (signed a protocol for temporary accommodation at Espaço Aberto ao Diálogo), overlapping significantly in scope but operating at greater scale and broader portfolio.
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa: Portuguese Red Cross chapter operating nationwide with social assistance, emergency response, and health programs including services for homeless populations. Provides overlapping capabilities but as part of a much broader humanitarian and emergency portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ComunidadeVidaPaz
• Facebookfacebook.com/Comunidade.Vida.e.Paz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/comunidade-vida-e-paz
• Instagraminstagram.com/comunidadevidaepaz_oficial/?hl=pt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Comunidade Vida e Paz