The DECO Awards are returning for their 3rd edition. The distinctions, awarded by the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection, will recognize initiatives, programs and strategies of support and defense for residents, as well as the work carried out by Municipalities and Parish Councils in favor of local consumers, as announced in a press release.
According to the same source, for the 2025 edition, the awards present eight categories, as well as a refreshed image. Applications are now open and the winners will be announced in April 2026.
New categories align with the territories’ priorities
“Housing and Public Space”, “Well-being and Mental Health”, “Tourism”, “Green Policies and Energy”, “Technology and Innovation”, “Education and Youth”, “Immigration, Inclusion and Diversity” and “Culture and Leisure”. These are the eight categories of the DECO Awards, which aim to recognize the municipalities that implement local consumer protection policies that, through a commitment to innovation, impact and proximity, seek to respond to the most pressing needs of the territories.
With regard to Parishes, the distinctions vary according to the score obtained on the registration form. Honorable Mention for those who score more than 75 points and Prize for 90 points or more.
“The DECO Awards distinguish the Municipalities and Parishes that place people at the center of action, promoting innovative and sustainable public policies that improve everyone’s quality of life,” says André Regueiro, coordinator of the Partnerships and Development Department at DECO, adding that “one of the objectives of the distinctions is also the sharing of best practices, creating a network of reference municipalities.”
The projects of Municipalities and Parishes will be evaluated by a panel composed of five members per category: four of them common to all, with one area specialist joining afterwards. The winners, in addition to a trophy, also receive a seal with a digital graphical mention, for use on the most varied platforms, as well as the possibility of participating in other initiatives of the DECO network. Municipalities and parishes can apply through the site https://deco.pt/premios-deco/ up to March 31.
DECO promotes regional meetings for sharing best practices
The launch of the new edition coincides with the DECO Partner Network Meeting – Northern Edition, which will take place on November 18, at Quinta da Gruta, in Maia. The event will bring together municipal technicians, institutional partners and DECO representatives in a program dedicated to sharing best practices and local consumer protection.
Among the invited speakers will be Councillor Marta Peneda from Maia City Hall, Margarida Pinto, Vinay Pranjivan, André Regueiro and Joana Simões from DECO, and Sónia Passos from the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs. This meeting aims to strengthen dialogue between local authorities, public entities and civil society around topics such as tenancy, financial literacy, local support and responsible investment.
After the Maia meeting, DECO will host a new session, the Southern Edition, which will take place on November 25, in Mora, continuing the knowledge-sharing and the strengthening of cooperation among municipalities, parishes and regional partners.
