Culture and artistic creation are fundamental pillars of participation and social inclusion throughout the region, reinforcing the sense of community belonging and stimulating people's self-esteem.
In the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, culture is seen as a meeting point between different communities, capable of generating interactions, creating networks and bringing together territories with unequal realities.
The AML Identities and Cultures project, presented to the Lisboa 2030 - Inclusion through Culture Program, aims to promote artistic and cultural expression initiatives that ensure access to the creation and enjoyment of cultural goods in disadvantaged territories, involving communities in the processes of production and representation of various artistic practices.
The project has a partnership with four organizations from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area: Associação Faísca Voadora (Setúbal), Associação ArtePolón (Moita), Associação Rimas ao Minuto (Lisbon) and Associação Unidigrazz (Sintra).
These non-profit, locally-based institutions were selected for their innovative proposals to promote inclusion and cultural integration among people with greater socio-economic difficulties, working in the areas of visual arts, street arts, performing arts and interdisciplinary cross-fertilization.
With an innovative project that can be replicated in other territories, we are helping to strengthen the impact of culture on social inclusion.
Application for Inclusion through Culture projects with institutions in the region
Four projects of a cultural nature and artistic expression were selected through a competition, proposing activities that promote inclusion, integration and access to culture for the most disadvantaged population and those with greater socio-economic difficulties.
Four public or private non-profit institutions (two from the Setúbal Peninsula and two from the Greater Lisbon area) were able to apply for this "Identities and Cultures of AML" partnership.
The four AML partner organizations were selected by an independent jury, from different disciplinary areas and competencies (artistic, cultural, territorial and institutional), in accordance with the objectives and merit criteria set out in the notice and in the competition rules:
- Submission of applications: August 25, 2025 (by 9:00 a.m.)
- Announcement of selected projects: August 29, 2025
- Submission of claims: from August 29 to September 2, 2025 (until 18:00)
- Formalization of the partnership with AML and joint preparation of the application to the Lisboa 2030 Program - Inclusion through Culture: 2 to 15 September 2025
Eligible artistic fields
a) Visual arts (architecture, fine arts, design, photography and new media);
b) Performing arts (in the area of music, operations exclusively related to the artistic practice of orchestral music will not be financed)
c) Street art;
d) Disciplinary crossover.
The application has a budget of 500,000 euros from the European Social Fund, with a maximum co-financing rate of 40%.
The application to the Lisboa 2030 Program was submitted by AML with the four partner entities, as the final beneficiaries of the community support.
Eligible types of operations
a) The promotion of artistic and cultural practices for excluded or socially disadvantaged groups and the elderly, in particular initiatives that allow them to be directly involved in artistic or cultural experiences.
b) Awareness-raising, promotion, intermediation, dissemination and implementation of projects aimed at people at risk of social exclusion, in order to enable them to exercise active citizenship.
c) Intermediation that fosters the development of attitudes and learning abilities, with a view to acquiring basic personal and social skills, using the inclusion of artistic and cultural content and/or practices.
d) The development of projects that constitute integrated responses for children and young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, families and the community, aimed at affirming identities and increasing social cohesion and feelings of belonging to the community, through cultural and artistic participation.
e) Improving access to culture and art, particularly in terms of communication and programming in cultural spaces, facilities and events.
f) The development and dissemination of digital cultural content accessible to people with disabilities and excluded or socially disadvantaged groups.
Territorial scope
The entities that applied for this competition were assigned to the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, according to groups of municipalities:
Greater Lisbon
A- Sintra, Oeiras, Cascais;
B- Loures, Mafra, VF Xira;
C - Lisbon, Amadora, Odivelas;
Arco Ribeirinho Sul e Península de Setúbal
D- Setúbal, Sesimbra, Palmela
E- Almada, Barreiro, Seixal
F- Alcochete, Moita, Montijo
Four projects were selected, two of which are located in territories in groups A, B and C, and the other two in territorial groups D, E and F.
The support to be granted under this Support Program is intended for projects whose activities and actions are carried out in one or more municipalities in the same territorial group.
Culture in the AML as a pillar of territorial cohesion
The mission of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area is to contribute to the promotion of sustainable and comprehensive development, territorial and socioeconomic cohesion, and the improvement of quality of life in the municipalities that comprise it.
Culture and artistic creation are a cornerstone and a tool for social participation and inclusion, reinforcing a sense of community and boosting communities’ self-esteem.
More than organizing initiatives in a given community, we want to build narratives with the community. For AML, culture should therefore function as a meeting point between different communities, capable of generating interactions and creating networks that bring unequal territories closer together.
Entities that could apply
Municipalities in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and may establish partnerships with other entities, namely public entities and private non-profit organizations that have artistic and cultural expression projects and practices associated with interventions with particularly vulnerable groups.
Application documents
Sample budget for direct personnel costs
Rules for selecting projects within the scope of Inclusion Through Culture
Declaration of commitment - Lisbon 2030
Contact us for more information
Funds Line: Telephone: 800103510 (09:00-18:00 - free) | E-mail: linhadosfundos@linhadosfundos.pt
Lisboa 2030 Regional Program: Telephone 213 837 100 | E-mail: lisboa2030@ccdr-lvt.pt
Lisbon Metropolitan Area: Telephone 218428570 | E-mail: amlcorreio@aml.pt