Verão Seguro – The “Safe Summer” Programme

This case highlights an initiative led by the Algarve Civil Protection Operational Coordination Centre (OCC) to address the region’s significant population surge during the summer holiday season. Backed by the region’s civil protection services, the initiative ensured that organisers implemented the necessary risk-prevention measures.

A multi-agency team, drawing on representatives from all relevant entities, managed institutional coordination across the Algarve, overseeing how each force or service was deployed in rescue operations as incidents required.

This initiative is a compelling example of a participatory process and effective multi-agency coordination, offering a transferable model for strengthening public perceptions of security.

Contextual Characteristics

The Algarve is a summer holiday region in southern Portugal.

Objectives

  • Protecting citizens in public spaces through effective risk management
  • Promoting an appropriate response to emergencies
  • Increasing the public’s sense of security during the summer season

Description

Every week, the participating organisations meet to review the previous week and, based on a fresh risk assessment, plan the preventive measures needed for the week ahead. All parties work together to keep the Algarve safe over the summer, with a strong focus on coordinating resources for emergency response. Sharing strategic information is central to this effort, underpinning both protection and rescue operations, while a unified command structure allows continuous monitoring of incidents and ensures timely, appropriate responses. Given the region’s fire risk, coordination and intervention mechanisms within the Special Rural Fire Fighting System have also been reinforced.

Stakeholders Involved

Ministry of Internal Affairs; National Emergency; Civil Protection; liaison officers from the National Maritime Authority; the Fire Brigades Federation; the Armed Forces; the National Republican Guard; the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests; the National Institute for Medical Emergency; the Public Security Police; the Judiciary Police; as well as other cooperating entities such as AFOCELCA, E-REDES and the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL).

Social Innovation & Methodology

A collaborative, participatory approach lets security and civil protection authorities engage directly on key issues, fostering joint efforts to prevent risks, protect the public and improve security in public spaces during the summer season.

Outcomes and Impact

Originally limited to the Algarve, the “Safe Summer” programme was extended in 2023 to Lisbon, Porto and other beaches under heavy tourist pressure, driven by rising visitor numbers and World Youth Day. Under the expanded programme, the National Republican Guard (GNR) reinforces patrols in holiday and nightlife areas, while the Public Security Police (PSP) focuses on beaches, tourist sites and shopping areas to boost the public’s sense of security.

Sustainability

The “Safe Summer” programme is ongoing; in 2024 it ran from 15 June to 15 September. Since 2023, it has also covered Lisbon, Porto and the beaches under the greatest tourist pressure.

Source Material