Fraternidade de Nuno Álvares
(english version)

Facts and figures

“Fraternidade de Nuno Álvares” (FNA) means the “Nuno Álvares Fellowship”, where “Nuno Álvares” is the name of our patron saint.

Nuno Álvares Pereira was a Portuguese General of great success with a decisive role in the 1383-1385 Crisis that assured Portugal's independence from Castile (Spain). After the death of his wife, he joined the Order of the Carmelites. He was beatified on 23 January 1918 by Pope Benedict XV.

FNA members are all former members of the youth catholic scout association in Portugal, “CNE – Corpo Nacional de Escutas” (founded in 1923), where they all have once made their Scout Promise. CNE took the step, in 1955, to create the “Fraternidade de Nuno Álvares” as an independent association.

In Portugal there are two other adult scouts/guides associations: “AAG – Associação de Antigas Guias” (Girl Guides) and “FAEP – Fraternal dos Antigos Escoteiros de Portugal” (former members of AEP). Together, these three associations form the “AEG - Comité Português de Amizade dos Antigos Escoteiros e Guias”, which is a full member of the ISGF – International Scout and Guide Fellowship.

FNA has a membership of about 1700 men and women, all over the country. Members are grouped in local Guilds (called “Núcleos”) and, in some regions, there are committees working at a regional level. There are more than a hundred local Guilds in Portugal.

Members are entitled to use the FNA scout uniform, with badges and a dark-brown neckerchief. Local Guilds have their own flags, which can be used in ceremonies and parades.

FNA’s local Guilds have many scout-like activities, such as camping, hiking, environment protection, social/community work and helping youth scouting. Some events are organized at a regional and national level, like the FNA’s National Camp and Jamboree, for example.