Building Community Strength in Uncertain Times
July 23-25, Lisbon (Portugal), ISPA-Istituto Universitário
As Community Psychologists, we are called to play a critical role in these uncertain times, standing in solidarity with marginalised and oppressed communities. In response to the growing geographies of fear, hate, and despair, we believe that now, more than ever, we must nurture community-led, bottom-up geographies of solidarity, love, hope, joy and collective care.
To do this, it is vital to continue strengthening our collective knowledge, praxes, and perspectives across the diverse contexts in which we work, promoting social justice. By weaving connections between our struggles and experiences, we can co-create alternative ways to foster communal bonds and sustain hope.
We face profound challenges: the rise of authoritarianism, the criminalisation of displaced people, and the relentless destruction of lives and ecosystems through racial capitalism, transphobic and queerphobic attacks, wars, and genocides. Yet, in the face of these crises, we also witness powerful acts of humanity and resilience—people opening their homes, sharing resources, resisting injustice, and envisioning new possibilities for a better future. These actions remind us that the world we strive to create is not just an idea—it is already being built, piece by piece, through collective care and action.
A Conference Rooted in Our Values
This conference is the result of a socially responsible and volunteer-led effort—an approach that reflects both our values and those of our professional community. By working collectively and autonomously, we ensure that participation remains accessible, free from prohibitive registration fees, and aligned with our shared commitment to solidarity and mutuality. Without professional agencies organising activities, we rely on one another’s support, generosity, and mutual care to create a meaningful and welcoming experience for all.
Although no registration fees are required, participation is limited to members of our professional community. This allows us to maintain a community-based, sustainable approach—distinct from large, impersonal, and performance-driven conferences.
We actively welcome non-conventional contributions from diverse voices, including academic and non-academic contributors, communities of practice, students, activists, people with lived experience, and artists, to challenge the hierarchy of knowledge within the academic sphere. This event will be an opportunity to deepen exchanges, challenge dominant narratives, recognise our collective power, and co-create new possibilities.
Above all, we hope this conference fosters joyful encounters that help us grow together, reaffirm our commitments, and dream of other possible worlds.
We look forward to seeing you in Lisbon!
Download here the extended call.
Sessions include different formats, download here the full document.
Deadlines
The call is open from March 5th to April 20th. Given the limited timeframe, we suggest you submit your application as soon as possible! Since this conference is designed as a community space for sharing and discussing ideas in a collaborative and horizontal manner, we have set a maximum of 100 participants. If the number of selected proposals exceeds this limit, priority will be given to those submitted earlier.
The acceptance of WG proposals will be notified by the end of April, while the acceptance of other proposals will be communicated by mid-to-late May.
Submission
Please note that it is necessary to have all the data before making a submission, as provisional entries cannot be saved. To make multiple submissions, the process will need to be repeated from the beginning.
Click here to submit: (Long link: https://forms.gle/tmUY4sFky3r9hv4h6).
Registration and Fees
By decision of the organisers, the conference will only require the annual membership fee of the European Community Psychology Association (ECPA).
The membership fee is €50 for regular members and €30 for students and PhD candidates.
To register and pay your fee, click here: https://www.ecpa-online.com/membership/.
To be included in the conference program, ECPA membership registration must be completed within 15 days of the acceptance notification and no later than June 30th.
2025 ECPA Scientific Committee:
- Cinzia Albanesi (University of Bologna)
- Francesca Esposito (University of Bologna)
- Maric Martin Lorusso (University of Bologna)
- Nicola Rainisio (University of Milan)
- Dora Rebelo (Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon)
- Fortuna Procentese (University of Naples Federico II)
- Miles Thompson (University of the West of England, Bristol)
- Maria João Vargas-Moniz (ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisbon)
- Megan Vine (University of Limerick)
Local Organising Committee:
- Erica Briozzo
- Raquel Cardoso
- Maria Fatima Jorge Monteiro
- Beatrice Sacchetto
- Luis Sá Fernandes
Sponsors
ISPA, Instituto Universitario/APPsyCI
Society of Community Research and Action (SCRA)
Supporters
Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia Comunitária (SPPC)
Società Italiana di Psicologia di Comunità (SIPCO)
Any further questions? ecpaconference2025@gmail.com.