The Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation

To enable democracy to always find its future, the Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation rises to the challenge of preserving social and cultural memory — beginning with Contemporary Portugal and broadening its scope to Portuguese-speaking nations.

Created by Mário Soares in 1991, it was strengthened by adding Maria Barroso to its name in 2020. Broadening the scope of the legacy it aims to protect, it consolidated its call, i.e. promoting freedom, tolerance, solidarity and equity.

On behalf of the public’s involvement, the Foundation makes all its document heritage available — in open access — through the Casa Comum digital platform.

In the field, it organizes scientific and cultural events, targeted at training and debate. Providing support, namely through the Mário Soares Award, it promotes the development of scientific knowledge, focused on education and geared towards society. 

The Foundation also materializes its vision by creating spaces that strengthen citizen involvement. By developing non-formal education activities, these reinforce the public cause as open free contributions desirable to all people, accessible to all people. 

By empowering people, we encourage active citizenship, to prevent both democracy and its tools from weakening in a world of growing challenges. 

The Foundation’s head office is in Lisbon, also housing the Mário Soares Office, the Archives, the Mário Soares Library and spaces for events. It is also present in Leiria, through the João Soares Musem-House, at Cortes, which includes the João Soares Library and other cultural and educational services.