The phenomenon known as purpose ownership or steward ownership constitutes a current core issue that is strongly lacking in study and solutions, both at the national and international levels.
It corresponds to a model of corporate organization that does not have a direct response in the current legal forms of company structure, particularly within the framework of the legal regime applicable to commercial companies.
The IJ has decided to establish a research team to carry out an in-depth reflection on purpose ownership: the POWer project - Purpose-Ownership Extensive Reflection.
The aim is to understand and characterize the phenomenon and compare it with the normative framework of the current legal structuring of companies to determine the feasibility of implementing the purpose ownership model in Portugal, as well as to suggest paths for improving positive law.
The POWer project also involves the active participation of Portuguese companies interested in this organizational model as privileged partners. The contribution of the business sector is essential for a correct diagnosis of the practical needs and for a clear understanding of the difficulties to be overcome through legal construction.
Interest in studying and implementing purpose ownership is widespread among several EU Member States, although very few legal systems currently have specific regulations in place (Sweden being an exception, and a legislative proposal under discussion in Germany). Therefore, the IJ has also taken the initiative to promote an international project that allows for studying the problem in various countries and finding the best solutions through joint dialogue.