In 2015, SÉRVULO began a new chapter in its commitment to social responsibility: the creation of RSSÉRVULO, which defines the firm’s social responsibility strategy, and the joining of GRACE (Business Citizens Group of Support and Reflection, or Grupo de Reflexão e Apoio à Cidadania Empresarial in Portuguese) were two highly significant milestones. In what is an area of growing importance, RSSÉRVULO defines four strands of activity: pro bono legal support; volunteering; promoting gender equality and institutional participation in charitable initiatives.
Strands of activity:
- Pro bono legal support: In general terms, this involves providing legal support to disadvantaged communities to ensure that their basic rights are respected. In this regard, SÉRVULO strives to offer as much constitutional support as possible to Third Sector entities, operating as an incubator for such organisations and supporting projects that provide training to individuals and have a multiplying value effect.
- Volunteering: Members of SÉRVULO have participated in numerous voluntary activities over the years. The firm currently provides weekly support to Refood Misericórdia (which redistributes leftover restaurant food to the needy), takes part in GRACE’s annual volunteering programme (a day of activities known as the GIRO) and promotes various spontaneous initiatives.
- Promoting gender equality: As a member of iGen - Equality Organizations Forum, SÉRVULO adopted a set of measures aimed at reinforcing and highlighting the principle of equality between women and men at work .
- Institutional support: SÉRVULO is one of 13 law firms that back social projects through Rock’n’Law. The firm also promotes at least one annual solidarity campaign in benefit of a chosen institution.
Where possible, SÉRVULO seeks to apply its social responsibility principles in its day-to-day business dealings, not least by promoting diversity and environmental sustainability, and by donating equipment to charity organisations.