Associação Academia Cidadã - AAC

EU Legislative Interests

European Civil Society Strategy Implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union EU Rule of Law annual cycle European Democracy Action Plan Defense of Democracy Package EU policy on better regulation

Communication Activities

Academia Cidadã - Citizenship Academy advocates for the respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union at the national, regional and European levels, by engaging with policymakers, participating in consultations, insitutional dialogue, monitoring and campaigning for its implementation, guaranteeing fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, equity, and non-discrimination. - Monitoring and reporting on civic space: Academia Cidadã - Citizenship Academy coordinates the Portuguese Civic Space Observatory, which works closely with the European Civic Forum's Civic Space Watch (regularly quoted in the EU's Rule of Law Report). By analyzing the reality of CSOs, we seek to contribute to a more informed debate about the real state of national and European democracy. - Network and community building: Since its foundation, in 2012, the Academia Cidadã - Citizenship Academy has been building community and alliances with institutional and grassroots organisations and movementsall over Europe. Through conferences, workshops, forums and alliance building, our greatest aim is to connect civil society actors nationally, transnationally and cross-sectorally. We have been committed to fostering ever-greater links within the Portuguese and European civil society, helping to build structures that recognise the importance of the civil society sector in safeguarding of democracy and the rule of law. Since 2014 we are an active member of the European Civic Forum, member of its Board of Directors since 2015, with whom we co-coordinate European campaigns like the #CivicPride, capacity and community building activities like the European Civic Academy and several EU policy debates. “Knitting for climate” is an European network of informal groups that knits Red Lines for climate justice, co-coordinated by the Academia Cidadã - Citizenship Academy. The growing network is now formed by groups from 9 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland and Sweden). The groups knit "Red Lines" that symbolize the 1.5 limit of global heating that we should not pass, according to climate scientists. The network is composed of knitters, activists, people worried about the climate crisis who intend to provide new spaces and approaches to climate activism in Europe.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

AAC is a member of the Board of Directors and Steering Committee of the European Civic Forum (ECF), a member of Civil Society Europe. And is also member of the Portuguese Human Rights Platform (PDH - Plataforma dos Direitos Humanos.

Organisation Members

AAC is a non-profit association, whose members are mainly individuals, but it also allows membership of other non-profit organizations. In 2025, it has 34 active members. The association is governed by its General Assembly, overseen by the Fiscal Council, and the execution of its activities is coordinated by the Board, all with four-year mandates. Appointed by the Board, there is an Executive Director with statutory powers equivalent to those of the Board. More information at this link: https://academiacidada.org/en/estatutos/