Mariana Dolores, president of the NGDO “Mundo A Sorrir”, was awarded the Person of the Year Award for Social Economy – Honor to Entrepreneurial Capacity, awarded by the António Sérgio Cooperative for Social Economy (CASES) under the António Sérgio 2024 Cooperation and Solidarity Award. The award ceremony took place on 24 January in Lisbon.
Focused on the sustainable growth of the organization, Mariana Dolores promotes health education and literacy, training and medical assistance, while forming qualified teams and maintaining proximity to employees and volunteers. This Award aims to reward a personality for his/her relevant contribution to the design and promotion of innovative and sustainable actions and ventures in the Social Economy sector, in particular within the entities that integrate it, or through studies that promote social entrepreneurship.
Mariana Dolores has a degree in Dental Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Non-Governmental Organizations, co-founded “Mundo A Sorrir”, in 2005 and is currently chairman of the organization’s board, whose mission is to promote Health and Oral Health as a universal right, having benefited more than 907,000 people with socioeconomic vulnerability in Portugal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe. Their proactive spirit and their ability to undertake and innovate are recognized and valued by the third sector and beyond. Her passion for the social world has led her to dedicate herself fully and voluntarily to supporting people who do not have access to health care and oral health, contributing to the improvement of their quality of life, the increase of their self-esteem and their social (re)integration.
Upon receiving the award, Mariana Dolores highlighted the importance of recognition for the cause she has been defending for years: “This award, more than a personal recognition, is a reflection of the work and dedication of the entire “Mundo A Sorrir” team and our partners. Our commitment is to continue to believe that oral health is a fundamental human right. Over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the impact that social projects can have on vulnerable communities, and this recognition gives us more strength to continue!”
