The decision was announced during the ICA World Conference, held in Panama on September 16 and 17, 2026, under the theme «Building bridges: cooperative contributions to a more peaceful world».
Designed by architect Raul Lino, the Casa António Sérgio was the residence of António Sérgio (1883–1969), a key figure in 20th-century Portuguese thought, noted for his contributions in education, democracy, citizenship, and cooperativism.
Currently managed by CASES, the house ensures the preservation and accessibility of its significant documentary and bibliographic heritage. The collection includes António Sérgio's personal library, his documentary estate, and other collections relevant to the history of Cooperativism, as well as the Social Economy Library.
More than just a memorial space associated with an individual, the Casa António Sérgio now serves as a center for knowledge, documentation, study, and debate on Social Economy and Cooperativism. The preservation and dissemination of its collection, including digitization, aim to broaden access and enhance its contribution to research.
The ICA's recognition thus confers an international dimension upon this heritage, which intertwines memory, thought, and cooperative culture, valuing the Casa António Sérgio as a space where a significant part of Portugal's cooperative history remains accessible to current and future generations.
The distinction holds particular significance in the context of the 2026 World Conference, dedicated to cooperatives' contribution to a more peaceful world. Within this framework, the Casa António Sérgio represents a legacy where cooperation, education, and democratic citizenship articulate as fundamental dimensions of a more participatory and solidary society.
This heritage preserves cooperative memory and keeps knowledge alive for the future.
