In a statement, the AML indicates that this project was discussed at a meeting of the Metropolitan Working Group on Social Affairs and Health, held on Monday in Lisbon, with approximately 50 participants, including elected officials, municipal technicians, and representatives from AIMA.

According to the statement, the creation of a network of local support centres for migrants in the municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area is “aligned with the strategic objectives of the AML” to promote “social cohesion, ensuring that all citizens have access to quality services and development opportunities, regardless of the municipality where they reside.”

During the session, César Teixeira, a member of the AIMA board of directors, presented the operational model of the migrant support and integration centres and the results already achieved to the municipalities.

According to the official, quoted in the statement, the model will have to be adapted to the reality of each municipality and will allow services to be brought closer to the migrant population, strengthen coordination with social entities, and improve the capacity to respond to the needs of these communities.

The experience of the municipality of Mafra, where an “AIMA Space” has been operating in a Citizen's Shop since September 2024, was presented as an example of the model's local implementation.

Also present at the session, Patrícia Martins from the Mafra Municipal Council reported that the space has provided more than 6,500 services since the beginning of the pilot project, with high appointment attendance and strong coordination between municipal services and AIMA teams.

She also highlighted positive impacts on social cohesion, inclusion, and procedural efficiency.

In turn, the Metropolitan Secretary, Filipa Guimarães, considered that the Mafra experience could constitute a good practice that could be replicated in other municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

According to Filipa Guimarães, a future metropolitan network of "AIMA Spaces" could strengthen cooperation between the central government and municipalities and consolidate local responses for the reception, regularisation, and social integration of the migrant population.

The municipalities of Alcochete, Almada, Amadora, Barreiro, Cascais, Lisbon, Loures, Mafra, Moita, Montijo, Odivelas, Oeiras, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Sintra and Vila Franca de Xira are part of the AML (Lisbon Metropolitan Area).