About us
União de Refugiados Em Portugal (UREP) offers comprehensive support to refugees, stateless persons, and other newcomers in Portugal, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity, security, and equal access to rights.
UREP provides specialised legal support on asylum and international protection procedures, residence permits, and documentation related to work, education, and family reunification. In addition, UREP works directly with stateless individuals and persons at risk of statelessness, offering guidance on nationality law, statelessness determination procedures, access to civil documentation, and pathways to legal recognition and protection.
Through its housing support programmes, UREP connects refugees and stateless persons to safe and stable accommodation and provides guidance throughout the rental process. Our employment and livelihoods initiatives offer professional counselling, skills development, and language support to promote economic independence, including tailored assistance for stateless persons who face additional legal and administrative barriers to employment.
UREP’s education and youth programmes support children, young people, and adults in accessing schools, language courses, vocational training, and higher education. We pay particular attention to the challenges faced by stateless children and youth, advocating for their right to education regardless of legal status.
Our intercultural mediation and community engagement programmes foster dialogue and mutual understanding between refugees, stateless persons, and host communities, strengthening social cohesion and participation. Where needed, UREP also provides guidance on accessing health, mental health, and psychosocial support services, recognising the compounded vulnerabilities often experienced by stateless individuals.
Beyond service provision, UREP is actively engaged in advocacy, policy dialogue, and awareness-raising on statelessness, working with national and international partners to promote legal reform, inclusive policies, and the recognition of stateless persons as rights-holders. Through community-led approaches and lived-experience leadership, UREP seeks to contribute to sustainable solutions that ensure no one is left behind.
Our Mission
UREP aims to provide refugees and stateless persons with a direct pathway into Portuguese society. Through our community-based approach, we connect individuals with local professionals, organisations, and companies, matching opportunities to their skills, professions, and lived expertise.
By building strong and relevant networks, UREP helps refugees realise their professional ambitions and economic potential. Our mission is to guide, empower, and facilitate integration into the Portuguese labour market, enabling refugees and stateless persons to build secure, dignified, and successful lives in Portugal.
Our Vision
UREP supports refugees and stateless persons in exercising their rights and active participation in society through intercultural mediation, promoting full and meaningful integration. We facilitate access to social inclusion resources that uphold dignity and are fully aligned with national and international legal frameworks. Guided by the belief that unity and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential, UREP works across sectors to respond to the complex social, legal, and economic challenges faced daily by refugees and stateless individuals. We remain committed to providing continuous support and developing sustainable solutions that empower communities and overcome these barriers.
Meet our team
Dedicated volunteers driving our mission
Mubarak
Tesoureiro
Responsible for managing UREP's financial matters, including budgeting, accounting, and ensuring transparent use of funds. The Treasurer oversees financial reporting and compliance, safeguarding the organization's financial health.
Ahmed Abdalla
Presidente
Leads the organization by setting strategic direction and representing UREP in official and public forums. The President oversees all operations, ensures alignment with the mission, and acts as the main spokesperson and decision-maker.
Adam Labor
Vice president
Supports the President by assisting in leadership duties and stepping in during the President's absence. The Vice President often coordinates specific projects, manages internal affairs, and helps strengthen partnerships and community engagement.
Alexsander Kweh
Vogal
Contributes to governance and strategic oversight as part of the board. A Vogal participates in decision-making, supporting the President and other leaders in advancing UREP's goals and ensuring accountability.
