Vela Solidária Association

Vela Solidária is a social project that uses the sea as a stage for human development and sailing as a powerful tool for transformation. Its work focuses on creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children, young people and people with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities and respect for the aquatic environment.

Mission: Developing Skills Through the Sea

The project’s mission is clear: the development of personal and social skills for its beneficiaries. For children and young people at risk, Vela Solidária offers a structured environment that fosters resilience and goal-setting. For people with disabilities, the project represents a way of overcoming and achieving new levels of autonomy. At the same time, its activity actively promotes nautical culture and awareness of the preservation of marine ecosystems throughout the community.

The Transformative Power of the Candle

The practice of sailing serves as the central instrument for achieving these goals. On board a sailboat, every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Experience contributes directly to:

• Raising self-esteem, socialization and tolerance among participants.
• Improving mobility and autonomy, enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities.
• Stimulate cognitive abilities, such as concentration and problem-solving.
• Building more realistic and concrete life goals, especially for young people.

Through these achievements, Vela Solidária actively contributes to raising the quality of life of all those it supports.

The Vision: A Future with More Equality and Nautical Culture

Vela Solidária’s vision goes beyond the horizon. The project aims to contribute to a Portugal that recovers its intrinsic connection to the sea, becoming a true country of sailors. It envisions a more egalitarian society, where the ocean is the medium and sailing is the tool to form more active and involved individuals, not only in its use, but also in the preservation of the country’s greatest natural wealth.

In short, Solidarity Sailing doesn’t just teach sailing. It shows that, with the right direction and the right tools, everyone can navigate life’s challenges with confidence.