Oeste International Community Volunteers (OICV) is a dynamic organization dedicated to supporting the integration of individuals from diverse nationalities into the Portuguese community. By fostering collaboration with local governments, organizations, and community groups, OICV works tirelessly to bridge cultural gaps, address challenges, and promote mutual understanding. As the year draws to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect on our journey, celebrating the milestones achieved and the relationships built. We are especially proud of our collaboration with Gazeta das Caldas, a platform for bringing together various communities and highlighting the vibrant, multicultural fabric of Portuguese society.
The integration process is often complex, with immigrants from everywhere facing significant barriers such as language difficulties and social isolation. Additionally, misconceptions about the impact of immigrants on housing, healthcare, and social infrastructure often dominate public discourse. OICV aims to challenge these stereotypes by highlighting the positive contributions of the international community and creating spaces for mutual engagement.
Through a range of initiatives, OICV seeks to position the international community as an integral part of Portuguese society. It organizes social events, cultural exchanges, and fundraising efforts that not only foster camaraderie but also provide direct support to vulnerable groups. One notable project is the The International Cuisine Lunch Project, which involves OICV’s members as “chef for a day” preparing meals for elderly day-care centers, creating shared experiences and breaking down social barriers. Throughout the years, OICV prepared over 20 International Cuisine lunches for senior day centers and contributed 1,300 euros to a program fund for 13 centers. OICV also participated in the Soup Festival, a key fundraising event exemplifying this effort and bringing together locals and international participants over shared meals. In the words of OICV’s president, Joseph Poon: “it’s less about donations than about putting ourselves out there, for the community we want to build.”
Education and youth development are central to OICV’s mission. The organization led three seminars this year at local schools, including Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, Raul Proença and Escola Tecnica Empresarial do Oeste, encouraging more than 300 students to explore work and study opportunities abroad. Additionally, OICV has pledged to award four scholarships that will be delivered in 2025 to academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students from the region, covering tuition and essential study materials. This scholarship program was in partnership with the Busy Bees.
For the Local Community, OICV provides practical resources such as free Portuguese and English language lessons, especially tailored for specific groups like the Ukrainian Community. This year we also offered several workshops on taxation, health systems, and legal frameworks in Portugal, helping immigrants navigate local systems with confidence. We raised funds for food banks in our region and supported initiatives such as The Soup Kitchen. OICV also created an event called Soul Night, which raised 1,100 euros for Refood, an organization that focuses on reducing food waste and combating hunger.
OICV’s outreach extends beyond social support. The organization partners to support local businesses and groups, working with local organizations such as AIRO (Associação Empresarial da Região Oeste), to foster professional exchanges and promote economic integration. This year we ran two seminars on business strategy and entrepreneurship that facilitated dialogue and networking between local and international entrepreneurs, encouraging mutual growth and understanding. On both occasions our members hosted lunch for more than 50 local business representatives.
Cultural engagement remains at the heart of OICV’s work. We are participating in local events such as medieval fairs to collect funds. We contributed 24 articles to this very newspaper. The organization actively seeks opportunities to weave the international community into the fabric of Portuguese culture. Plans for a radio broadcast further illustrate its innovative approach to fostering dialogue and understanding. OICV also has been collaborating with the local government, offering support to newcomers through CLAIM (Centro Local de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes).
As it looks to the future, OICV continues to amplify its impact. From scholarships and free language classes to groundbreaking initiatives like the Mobile Kitchen, its vision is clear: to create a more inclusive, integrated, and supportive community. By embracing diversity and nurturing collaboration, OICV is helping to transform challenges into opportunities, building bridges that strengthen both the international and local communities in Portugal. ■