Portugal
Santarém
Santarém, a historic city and municipality in central Portugal, serves as the capital of the district with the same name and is situated approximately 65 kilometers northeast of Lisbon. Perched on a plateau overlooking the fertile Tagus River valley, Santarém is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance dating back to Roman times. The municipality, covering an area of 552.54 km², has a population of about 60,042 as of 2025, with a slightly higher proportion of females (52.5%) compared to males (47.5%). Santarém is often referred to as the "Capital of Gothic" in Portugal due to its impressive collection of Gothic architecture, including the Convent of San Francisco and the Santa Maria Graça Church. The city plays a significant role in Portugal's agricultural sector, hosting the annual National Agricultural Fair which showcases the region's agricultural prowess and includes a popular cattle market. Santarém's economy is diverse, with a strong emphasis on the tertiary sector, which accounts for 78.6% of local businesses, while the primary and secondary sectors represent 8.5% and 12.9% respectively.
By Senhormario - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ivan Samkov, pexels
Education in the region of Santarém
The region of Santarém offers a diverse range of educational opportunities at various levels. The Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (IPSantarém) is the primary public higher education institution in the area, comprising five schools spread across Santarém and Rio Maior. These schools specialize in Agricultural Sciences, Education Sciences, Management and Technology, Sports, and Health. IPSantarém provides approximately 20 undergraduate degree programs and actively promotes international cooperation with renowned institutions in Europe and Portuguese-speaking countries. In addition to IPSantarém, the region is home to the ISLA - Higher Institute of Management and Administration of Santarém, a private institution established in 1984 and now part of the Lusófona Group. The higher education landscape in Santarém is further enriched by various bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. The city offers 28 bachelor's programs, 30 master's programs, and 17 PhD programs across its higher education institutions. These programs cover a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture, tourism, business, engineering, and health sciences.
Youth in Santarém
Youth unemployment and social inclusion remain significant challenges in the Santarém region, reflecting broader trends in Portugal. In Santarém, social exclusion among youth, particularly those from Roma and immigrant communities, has been a pressing issue. The Escolhas Programme, co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus aims to address this by providing better access to educational, employment, and social services for young people aged 6-25. It reaches around 250 people in Santarém annually, contributing to the overall goal of supporting over 17,000 participants across Portugal. To combat youth unemployment and improve employability, the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém is organizing an Employability Week in March 2025, featuring a job fair, corporate presentations, and workshops on entrepreneurship. These initiatives demonstrate ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people in the region.
Photo: pexels