Barreiro's Natércia Couto School Renovation Underway with Over €50,000 from SIC Esperança Project
The Parents' Association of the Álvaro Velho School Group (APEEAEAV) has announced the commencement of a major renovation project at the Escola Básica Natércia Couto in Lavradio, Barreiro. The project is made possible by the association's successful application to the 'Escolas +=' program, an initiative by the national charity organization SIC Esperança. The project specifications detail a multi-phase requalification of the school's facilities, which have suffered from age-related degradation. The total investment for the project is valued at over €50,000. The financing arrangement stems from SIC Esperança's national fundraising campaign, 'Dinheiro Miúdo para os Miúdos' (Small Change for Big Kids), which was launched to commemorate the organization's 20th anniversary. The project's primary objective is to improve the learning environment for primary school students. The construction timeline is phased, with the initial intervention having been completed during the previous academic year. This first phase included the painting of exterior walls and the full requalification of an organic garden on the school premises, a phase noted for its high level of community participation from families and students. With the start of the new 2025-2026 academic year, the project is now entering a more significant construction phase which involves the complete replacement of the school's windows. This architectural and building feature upgrade is aimed at enhancing student comfort and safety, while also significantly improving the energy efficiency of the classrooms. The project has received all necessary regulatory approvals and is supported by local government bodies. The Parents' Association highlighted the project's collaborative nature, made possible through a partnership between the non-profit sector, local government, and private enterprise. In a public statement, the APEEAEAV thanked SIC Esperança for its financing program, the Câmara Municipal do Barreiro (Barreiro Municipal Council) and the União das Freguesias do Barreiro e Lavradio for their sustained institutional support, and the private contractor, MM Windows, for its execution of the window replacement. The involvement of parents and guardians was also cited as a determining factor in the initiative's success. The local economic impact, while focused on a single site, contributes to the broader enhancement of community assets in Barreiro. This renovation represents an important milestone in a more extensive, long-term plan for the school's enhancement. The Parents' Association has reaffirmed its commitment to continue its efforts to unite the community and its partners to guarantee the well-being and improve the educational conditions for children in the area. The project serves as a model for how non-profit funding and community engagement can effectively address infrastructure needs within public schools. Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.