Built for the Algarve, not just business.
Algarve Circle isn't only a place to get found. It's a way to put something back, into the community, the coastline and each other. Charities list for free, neighbours buy and sell second-hand instead of throwing away, greener businesses get the spotlight, and the community organises its own clean-ups.
Free for good causes
Verified Algarve charities get every premium feature at zero cost, forever. Same reach, same tools, no bill. The 41 verified charities below are already on the map. If you run a registered charity here, we want you on it too.
Animal welfare10
Tiny Shelter
Albufeira dog rescue run by founder Isabel Searle, with over 1,274 dogs rehomed and a registered association since March 2022.
The Goldra Dog Sanctuary (Canigoldra)
Volunteer-run dog sanctuary at Goldra, near Loulé, caring for over 70 abandoned dogs, with local and overseas adoption, sponsorship and volunteering.
Refugio dos Burros
Private animal refuge near Estômbar giving lifelong care to around 150 rescued animals, including the old, sick and unadoptable.
SOS Algarve Animals
Algarve-wide non-profit funding and coordinating free or subsidised sterilisation for street cats and dogs, and pets of families on low incomes.
Cadela Carlota & Companhia
Non-profit dog and cat shelter in Lagos since 2008, caring for around 140 animals in partnership with Lagos council.
Santa Barbara Animal Help
Foster-based dog rescue in Santa Bárbara de Nexe, run by volunteers since 2016, funded by donations and a small shop of dog supplies.
A Dog's Life Rescue & Sanctuary
Registered dog shelter and sanctuary in the Eastern Algarve hills, home to about 25 rescued dogs, founded in 2019 by Dave and Lucy.
AEZA - Associação Ecologista e Zoófila de Aljezur
Non-profit animal welfare association based in Aljezur since 2001, running the town's municipal kennel with the Câmara Municipal and rehoming dogs and cats.
Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA)
Registered dog and cat shelter near Loulé that has cared for over 2,000 rescued animals since 2017, with charity shops in Almancil, Loulé and Troto.
APAA – Associação de Protecção Animal do Algarve
Algarve animal charity since 1994, funding sterilisations and emergency vet care, with charity shops in Silves and Alvor.
People & community27
Refood Algarve
Volunteer-run charity that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to people in need, active in seven Algarve towns.
AOA - Associação Oncológica do Algarve
Faro oncology charity offering breast screening, psycho-oncology, physiotherapy and nutrition support to cancer patients across the Algarve.
Castelo de Sonhos
Silves IPSS founded in 1999, supporting vulnerable families through a solidarity shop, family support and seasonal community campaigns.
ACCA - Helping Children in the Algarve
Volunteer-run charity providing financial and practical support, including therapies and medical care, to disadvantaged children across the Algarve since 2000.
Associação Madrugada
Algarve charity providing free home-based palliative care since 2009, funded by its Encore and Home Store shops in Praia da Luz, Lagos and Lagoa.
ASMAL - Associação de Saúde Mental do Algarve
Loulé-based IPSS founded in 1991, promoting mental health across the Algarve through education, training and social integration support.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Albufeira
Albufeira's volunteer fire and rescue association, active since 1977. For emergencies call 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Alcoutim
Alcoutim's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1984, covering the whole municipality. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de São Bartolomeu de Messines
São Bartolomeu de Messines's volunteer fire association, founded 1977, covers this Silves parish. Emergencies always 112; listing for non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de São Brás de Alportel
São Brás de Alportel's volunteer fire association (AHBVSBA), founded 1927. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Refúgio Aboim Ascensão
Faro IPSS founded in 1933, running one of Portugal's largest emergency reception homes for at-risk babies and young children.
MAPS - Movimento de Apoio à Problemática da Sida
Faro-based charity supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS since 1992, with a temporary shelter and delegations across the Algarve.
Existir - Associação para a Intervenção e Reabilitação de Populações Deficientes e Desfavorecidas
Loulé IPSS since 1994, supporting people with disabilities and disadvantaged families across the Algarve through a social shop and training.
G.A.T.O. - Grupo de Ajuda a Toxicodependentes
Faro-based IPSS since 1990, running prevention, treatment and social reintegration programmes for people affected by addiction.
Riding for the Disabled Barlavento
Therapeutic riding charity for people with disabilities near Bensafrim, Lagos, running since 2007 with specially trained horses and volunteers.
APATRIS 21 - Associação de Portadores de Trissomia 21 do Algarve
Down syndrome support charity based in Faro since 2000, offering psychological support, training and family guidance to people with Trisomy 21.
APEXA - Associação de Apoio à Pessoa Excepcional do Algarve
Algarve-wide disability support charity founded in 2003, offering therapy, education and inclusion programmes from bases across the central Algarve.
Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de Faro "Cruz Lusa"
Faro's volunteer fire and rescue association ("Cruz Lusa"), founded 1923. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos
Lagos's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1886. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Vila do Bispo
Vila do Bispo's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1982. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Vila Real de Santo António e Castro Marim
Volunteer fire and rescue association serving Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, founded 1890. Emergencies always 112; listing for non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de Silves
Silves's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1926. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Aljezur
Aljezur's volunteer fire and rescue corporation, founded 1975. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome do Algarve
The Algarve's regional food bank, collecting and redistributing food to local charities since 2006, based in Faro with a branch in Portimao.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Monchique
Monchique's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1933, covering the hill municipality. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagoa
Lagoa's volunteer fire and rescue association, founded 1978. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de Portimão
Portimão's volunteer fire and rescue association (AHBVP), founded 1926. Emergencies always 112; this listing is for donations and non-urgent contact.
Environment & nature4
RIAS - Centro de Recuperação e Investigação de Animais Selvagens
Wildlife rescue hospital in the Ria Formosa, Olhão, run by Associação ALDEIA since 2009. Treats injured wild animals and returns them to nature.
A Rocha Portugal
Christian conservation organisation founded in the Algarve in 1983 near Ria de Alvor, running its Cruzinha field centre near Portimao.
Associação Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente
Independent environmental association based in Olhão since 2018, running nature conservation, monitoring and environmental education projects.
Almargem – Associação de Defesa do Património Cultural e Ambiental do Algarve
Algarve-wide environmental and heritage association founded in 1988, based in Loule, running guided walks, webinars and Ria Formosa-area conservation work.
Beat throw-away culture
The best thing you can buy is something that already exists. The Algarve Circle marketplace keeps good stuff in use and out of landfill, sold between neighbours, with no commission.
Greener businesses
Businesses that have shared a real sustainability commitment, reviewed and badged. The ones putting in the work to tread a little lighter.
Organise a beach clean-up
Circles are how the community gets together, a running club, a language exchange, or a Saturday morning on the sand with bin bags and good company. Start one, invite your neighbours, and turn a good intention into a date in the diary.
A cleaner coast, organised by the people who love it most.
Doing well by doing good
A platform shapes the place it serves. We'd rather Algarve Circle made the Algarve a little kinder and a little greener, not just busier. So charities never pay, the marketplace keeps things out of landfill, the businesses making a real effort get seen, and the community has a simple way to act together.
None of it is a side project. It's built into the platform, the same tools every business uses, pointed at the things that matter here, the coastline, the causes and the community that make the Algarve what it is.