Associação In Loco

What Associação In Loco does

Associação In Loco is a Portuguese non-profit association founded in 2015 and headquartered in São Brás de Alportel, Algarve, that operates as a Local Action Group (GAL) managing EU-funded rural development programs for the Algarve Central territory. Its core function is to serve as an intermediary between European funding instruments (PEPAC, LEADER, POCTEP, Horizon Europe, PRR) and rural beneficiaries across seven municipalities (Albufeira, Faro, Loulé, Olhão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira). The organization holds a five-year GAL mandate (2024-2029) for the DLBC Rural do Algarve Central program, giving it designated authority to administer a defined pool of rural development funding.

The organization's service portfolio includes co-working infrastructure (NEXTIN), certified training programs for social economy entities (INNOVASOCIAL), entrepreneurship support (CAFÉ), and a portfolio of EU co-financed projects spanning agricultural modernization (PEPAC small investment grants of €2,000–€50,000 with 50–75% non-reimbursable subsidies), food systems development (REVITALGARVE, RNAES, PRATO CERTO), short supply chain digitalization (AGROVILA marketplace), water efficiency research (AGRO+EFICIENTE), cultural planning for the Município de Faro, and transnational cooperation with Andalusia and Cabo Verde. Delivery is anchored by a decentralized network comprising the São Brás de Alportel headquarters, a Salir pole, a Faro training room, and field-based local animation technicians positioned across the territory.

The business model is grant-funded: services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge, with operating costs recovered through EU program administration, co-financed project budgets (disclosed In Loco shares of named projects range from approximately €99K to €218K each), and GAL management fees under the PEPAC mandate. There is no equity funding, no commercial revenue stream, and no investor base. Partnerships form the operational backbone, spanning municipalities, universities (Universidade do Algarve, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Universidade de Foggia), regional authorities (DRAP Algarve, AMAL), and sector associations (ACRAL, ANJE, Tertúlia Algarvia, Escuela Andaluza de Economía Social).

Name

Associação In Loco

Legal name

Associação In Loco

Website

https://in-loco.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Associação In Loco is a Portuguese non-profit association serving as the Local Action Group managing EU-funded rural development programs for the Algarve Central region, delivering capacity building, agricultural modernization, and entrepreneurship services to rural communities, farmers, and social economy entities across seven municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Development Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADABAN

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Bilateral Development Agencies & Aid Programs

Keywords

• Rural development programs
• Local development association
• Agricultural modernization services
• Social economy support
• Capacity building training

Headquarters

HQ city

São Brás De Alportel

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Rural Development Funding: As a non-profit association, In Loco operates primarily through EU-funded rural development programs including PEPAC, LEADER, POCTEP, PRR, and Horizon Europe. These programs fund local development initiatives, agricultural projects, social economy development, and territorial cohesion activities.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Associação In Loco is a non-profit local development association that manages EU-funded rural development programs (PEPAC, LEADER, POCTEP, Horizon Europe) for the Algarve Central territory in Portugal. It serves as the Local Action Group (GAL) entity administering community-based local development (DLBC) funding, providing technical assistance, capacity building, training, and co-working infrastructure (NEXTIN) to municipalities, farmers, social economy entities, and rural entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Associação In Loco is a non-profit association for local development based in São Brás de Alportel, Algarve, Portugal. The organization functions as a Local Action Group (GAL) managing EU-funded rural development programs. Its portfolio of services includes co-working space (NEXTIN), entrepreneurship support programs (CAFÉ), and certified training for social economy entities (INNOVASOCIAL). The organization implements multiple EU-funded projects covering agricultural modernization, food systems, territorial development, water management, cultural planning, and cross-border cooperation with Cabo Verde, primarily serving the rural territories of Algarve Central.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEXTIN: Co-working space operated by Associação In Loco providing shared workspace in the Algarve Central territory.

Products and services

• NEXTIN - Espaco de Co-Working (NEXTIN Co-Working Space) A co-working space service offered to support local entrepreneurs and professionals in the Algarve Central territory, providing shared workspace facilities for economic development purposes.
• INNOVASOCIAL AAA A transnational training and capacity building program for social economy entities in rural EuroAAA regions, offering free training, consulting, and networking services to promote innovation and sustainability among social economy organizations.
• CAFE - Capacitar, Apoiar e Fomentar o Empreendedorismo (CAFÉ Entrepreneurship Program) Entrepreneurship support program for Algarve Central focused on networking, innovation, knowledge production, and job creation, providing information sessions on investment support for businesses, associations, IPSS, and farmers.
• DLBC Algarve Central - PEPAC (Community-Based Local Development) Local Development program managing EU PEPAC funding for rural development in the Algarve Central territory, covering intervention areas including governance, sustainable development, sustainable entrepreneurship, local economy, and equity.
• PEPAC - Apoios a Pequenos Investimentos Agricolas (Small Agricultural Investment Support) EU-funded support program for small agricultural investments ranging from 2,000€ to 50,000€, with non-reimbursable subsidies covering 50-75% of eligible investment for agricultural modernization and sustainable practices.
• Plano Estrategico para a Cultura de Faro (Strategic Plan for Faro Culture)

Named customers4 records

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

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Union / PEPACcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Primary funder through Plano Estratégico da PAC (PEPAC) for rural development programs. In Loco serves as managing entity for DLBC Rural Algarve Central 2024-2029.
• Município de LoulécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipality partner in DLBC Algarve Central with 8 participating freguesias including Almanil, Alte, Ameixial, Boliqueime, Salir, São Clemente, São Sebastião, Querença, Tór and Benafim.
• Município de FarocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner municipality with freguesias Santa Bárbara de Nexe, Conceição e Estoi, Faro (Sé e S. Pedro) in the DLBC program.
• Universidade do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner coordinating REVITALGARVE project for food systems development. Also partner in multiple other initiatives including AGROVILA.
• Escuela Andaluza de Economía SocialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead beneficiary in INNOVASOCIAL AAA transnational project (POCTEP) promoting social economy innovation in rural EuroAAA region.
• Make it Better - Associação para a Inovação e Economia SocialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese partner in INNOVASOCIAL AAA focusing on social economy innovation and entrepreneurship.
• NERE - Núcleo Empresarial da Região de ÉvoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness development association partner in INNOVASOCIAL AAA transnational cooperation project.
• Tertúlia AlgarviaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge center for Algarve traditional food and culture, partner in INNOVASOCIAL project.
• AMAL - Comunidade Intermunicipal do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntermunicipal community of Algarve partnering in REVITALGARVE food systems project.
• DRAP Algarve - Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional agricultural authority partner in REVITALGARVE and AGRO+EFICIENTE projects.
• Universidade do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in AGRO+EFICIENTE project studying water efficiency and ecosystem preservation for Algarve emblematic crops.
• Universidade de FoggiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of COREnet Horizon Europe project (3,998,662.50€ total) on short food supply chain advisory networks across EU27.
• Instituto Politécnico de CoimbracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead coordinator of AGROVILA project for agricultural digitalization and marketplace development.
• Associação de Municípios do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Algarve municipalities partnering in PRATO CERTO project for Mediterranean diet implementation.
• ACRAL - Associação do Comércio e Serviços da Região do AlgarveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommerce and services association partner in DLBC Algarve Central program.
• ANJE - Associação Nacional de Jovens EmpresáriosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational young entrepreneurs association partner in DLBC program.
• Universidade do AlgarvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in DLBC Algarve Central contributing to rural development strategy.
• Região Turismo AlgarveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism authority partner in DLBC program for tourism development.
• Câmara Municipal de FarocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Plano Estratégico para a Cultura de Faro cultural planning project.
• APCEP - Associação Portuguesa para a Cultura e Educação PermanenteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerClient for external evaluation services of Literacia para a Democracia project under Cidadãos Ativ@s program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ELARD – European LEADER Association for Rural Development: European-level network representing LEADER Local Action Groups across the EU. Comparable to In Loco as the supra-national counterpart organization that aggregates and represents the GAL model, with overlapping exposure to CAP/PEPAC funding cycles and rural development policy advocacy.
• Minha Terra – Federação Portuguesa de Associações de Desenvolvimento Local: National federation of Portuguese Local Action Groups (GALs) and local development associations. Directly comparable as the umbrella/coordinating body for the same kind of GAL entities that In Loco operates, including shared exposure to PEPAC, LEADER, and POCTEP funding cycles and overlapping mission of rural and community development.

Direct peers

• ADICES – Associação para o Desenvolvimento Local: Portuguese local development association managing rural development programs in central Portugal under PEPAC and LEADER. Operates the same GAL model with comparable mission (rural revitalization, social economy support, agricultural modernization), differing only in territorial scope.
• LEADERSOM – Associação para o Desenvolvimento Rural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina: Portuguese GAL managing rural development programs in the Alentejo coast region under PEPAC/LEADER. Same model, same EU funding instruments, same beneficiary segments (rural SMEs, social economy entities, agricultural producers), differing in geographic scope — a direct structural peer.
• ADREPES – Associação para o Desenvolvimento Rural da Península de Setúbal: Portuguese GAL managing DLBC-type rural development programs in the Península de Setúbal region under PEPAC and LEADER. Same operating model as In Loco (designated GAL, EU-funded programs, local animation network, capacity-building for social economy), differing only in geography — a structurally comparable direct peer.
• MONTE – Movimento Associativo para o Desenvolvimento Rural: Agricultural cooperative of rural development associations operating across Portugal, including GAL-type functions under PEPAC. Comparable to In Loco in mission, funding sources, and beneficiary segments (rural populations, agricultural producers, social economy entities), with a wider multi-region footprint.
• ADRITEM – Associação para o Desenvolvimento Integrado do Ribatejo Interior: GAL and local development association managing DLBC-type rural development programs in the Ribatejo Interior region of Portugal. Comparable operating model (designated GAL, PEPAC/LEADER management, capacity building, local animation), differing only in geography.
• DOLMEN – Cooperativa para o Desenvolvimento Rural e Local: Portuguese cooperative/association structure focused on rural and local development, participating in PEPAC, LEADER, and related EU programs. Similar GAL-type function with overlapping segments (rural communities, social economy, agricultural producers) and similar member-driven governance model to In Loco.

Regional players

• Escola Andaluza de Economía Social (EAES): Andalusian (Spanish) social economy training and innovation organization that partners with In Loco on the INNOVASOCIAL AAA POCTEP project. Directly comparable in mission (social economy capacity building) and overlapping funder base (EU cross-border cooperation), though operating in a different EU country and primarily as a training provider rather than GAL manager.

Others

• EUROMONTANA – Association for Mountain and Rural Regions in Europe: European association promoting sustainable development in mountain and rural regions. Thematically related to In Loco's rural development mission and EU funding advocacy, though it operates at pan-European advocacy level rather than as a local implementer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/inloco1
• Facebookfacebook.com/associacao.inloco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/in-loco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Associação In Loco