At Coompass, we are excited to highlight inspiring organizations that are making a significant impact. Today, we are thrilled to feature Pista Mágica, a true catalyst for positive change in society.
If you haven’t already joined our Twitter and Telegram, click here to join the conversation! Please, also read this article to read about our previous featured NGO, Pedalar Sem Idade, and learn more about their amazing work.
Empowering Volunteering to Drive Social Change
Founded in 2008, Pista Mágica is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting volunteering and active citizenship as powerful tools for societal transformation. As a Non-Governmental Organization for Development (NGOD), Pista Mágica works in both development cooperation and education for development, addressing global challenges while empowering individuals and communities.
Their mission is to cultivate a stronger culture of volunteering and citizenship in Portugal and around the world through innovative solutions and training programs. These initiatives prepare volunteers to engage in meaningful actions. Pista Mágica believes that volunteering is not just an activity; it is a significant avenue for tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues and for creating a more engaged and resilient society.
How Pista Mágica is Creating Lasting Impact
Pista Mágica’s work is rooted in social innovation and cooperation for development. They implement impactful volunteer programs by:
- Training organizations involved in cooperation and education for development, helping them manage volunteer resources effectively to address social challenges.
- Developing and implementing innovative solutions that leverage volunteering to resolve social issues and promote active citizenship.
- Promoting volunteering as a key tool in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering global citizenship, especially in multilateral relations with Southern countries.
- Collaborating across sectors, bringing together the general public, educational institutions, NGOs, and more to tackle societal issues.
Through these strategies, Pista Mágica not only shapes volunteer strategies but also enables individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities while creating sustainable and adaptable solutions.
Mission and Vision: Shaping a More Inclusive and Empowered Society
Pista Mágica’s ultimate goal is to transform society by promoting a culture of volunteering that is conscious, committed, and impactful. They aspire to play a leading role in defining volunteering strategies and fostering greater participation in global networks. Their vision is a world where people are active citizens, engaged in solving problems and contributing to the common good.
They also understand that volunteering should extend beyond short-term initiatives. It must be about creating lasting change by supporting people and communities in need. Through their innovative solutions and programs, they aim to reach more volunteer agents and equip them with the skills and resources needed to take meaningful action.
Values: Innovation, Collaboration, and Transparency
Pista Mágica operates with a commitment to three core values:
- Innovation: Constantly seeking flexible and creative solutions to community challenges, Pista Mágica fosters a culture of innovation that opens new doors to positive change.
- Collaboration: They believe that the path to success is through collaboration, working in networks and sharing knowledge and expertise to drive collective impact.
- Transparency: Trust is at the heart of their operations, ensuring open communication and transparency in every aspect of their work, both internally and externally.
Volunteer Opportunities with Pista Mágica
Pista Mágica actively engages volunteers in a variety of initiatives. One key opportunity is their Trishaw Pilot Program, where volunteers ride trishaws to transport seniors and people with reduced mobility, creating memorable and meaningful experiences for both passengers and volunteers. These rides are about more than just transportation; they are moments of connection, sharing, and community engagement.
Additionally, Pista Mágica focuses on capacity building and operationalizing volunteer programs that have a direct impact on communities in need, making them a perfect example of how volunteering can drive social change at scale.
At the moment, Pista Mágica is currently looking for volunteers who can translate key content into English to help expand their international outreach. Specifically, they are seeking someone to translate pages from their “Metodologia de Voluntariado Apoiado” guide, developed as part of the “VoluntariaMente” project funded by EEA Grants.
This is a great opportunity for anyone with a couple of hours to spare to help Pista Mágica amplify its impact globally.
Why Pista Mágica is an Inspiration
What makes Pista Mágica truly inspiring is their ability to blend innovation with empathy, their commitment to transformative change, and their dedication to social justice through active citizenship. They demonstrate that small, consistent acts of kindness, when organized and nurtured, can have a monumental impact on society.
At Coompass, we’re proud to support Pista Mágica’s mission, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to drive positive change.
About Pista Mágica
Pista Mágica is a Portuguese non-profit organization dedicated to promoting volunteering and active citizenship as powerful tools for societal transformation. Founded in 2008, they implement innovative solutions that leverage volunteering to address global challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
