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The Municipality of Elvas has approved the project ‘Preserva: Porque Cada Vestígio Conta’ through its 2026 Participatory Budget. Developed by nurse Ana Sofia Alves, the initiative aims to improve the collection and preservation of forensic evidence at the Santa Luzia Hospital.

The project addresses a gap in local services where forensic evidence collection is unavailable outside the standard operating hours of the Legal Medicine office. By utilizing forensic nursing protocols, emergency room staff will be able to identify, collect, and document biological evidence such as hair, saliva, and blood. This complementary response will work in coordination with Legal Medicine, the Judicial Police, and the Local Health Unit to ensure evidence is properly preserved for criminal investigations and judicial processes.

Separately, the Municipality of Barcelos has been recognized at the 7th Autarchy of the Year Awards for its ‘BarcElos d’Abrigo’ project. Since its creation in August 2023, the initiative has provided individualized support to 249 people experiencing homelessness, successfully helping 149 individuals transition out of that situation. The project operates through a network of municipal services and partner entities to provide social inclusion and dignity.