Social Street Work Recognised by the Council of Europe

On 26 February 2026, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities[1] published its Fifth Opinion on Portugal[2] — marking a historic first. For the very first time, an official Council of Europe document explicitly references social street work as a crucial form of intervention with vulnerable communities, including Roma.

The report highlights the role of social street workers in reaching children, youth, and young adults facing multiple barriers such as education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation. It emphasises their capacity to build trust, prevent discrimination, and strengthen community empowerment. It also cites the Dynamo International – Street Workers Network (DISWN) website and the Street Work Training Institute (SwTI) in Lisbon as a key example of specialised training for professionals in this field.

This recognition is the result of the work of André Sousa, National Coordinator of Dynamo Portugal – Portuguese Social Workers Platform and head of CAI (Conversas Associação Internacional). Engaged within the network and active in advocacy before European institutions, he participated in the work of the Advisory Committee and ADI-ROM, the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues.

This mention in an official Council of Europe document represents a major milestone for the recognition of street work in Portugal and across Europe. Dynamo International is furthermore in the process of obtaining observer status within the Advisory Committee — a further step that would strengthen the network’s influence on European policies.

[1] Independent body of the Council of Europe, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, adopted in 1995.

[2] Fifth Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Portugal, p. 25