OUR HISTORY

50 Years of History...

With the April 25th Revolution of 1974, Portugal embarked on the path to democratization, in what became known as the Carnation Revolution. Thousands of people engaged in the collective endeavor of building a new country. The self-organization of local residents’ movements led, throughout the city of Lisbon, to the widespread occupation of vacant, abandoned, or unoccupied buildings, where schools, daycare centers, libraries, pharmacies, community clinics, theatre and sports groups, as well as headquarters for political parties, workers’ committees, and neighborhood associations, were established.

In 1975, the residents’ committee of the parish of Mercês (today Misericórdia) decided to occupy an abandoned manor house at number 11, Rua da Palmeira, then owned by the Lisbon Hospitals. After assessing the needs of the local population—living in a poor area marked by serious social problems—the residents resolved to create a daycare and kindergarten, primarily serving children of the parish. The institution opened in January 1976, with capacity for 46 children in kindergarten and 12 in daycare. One of the most pressing issues identified was the lack of a space where children could stay while their mothers worked.

Operating on cooperative principles and under shared management by parents, staff, and members, this was both a popular initiative and a direct achievement of the Revolution, sustained with generosity and commitment across the decades. Fifty years later, despite many challenges, this educational project—open to the community — continues to thrive on Rua da Palmeira.

Issue of bouletin "Jornal da Adeco", published in 1980.

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