The Braga 25 Volunteer Program was awarded the Portuguese Volunteer Trophy in the Innovation category. The initiative was promoted by the Portuguese Capital of Culture Mediation Program, in collaboration with Faz Cultura, the Municipality of Braga, and Braga Voluntária as a partner, involving more than a hundred people throughout this year.
The Trophy was presented yesterday by the Portuguese Confederation of Volunteering at a ceremony held at the Maia Forum, coinciding with the end of the Portuguese Capital of Volunteering, which this year was organized in that city.
According to the jury of the Portuguese Volunteer Award, who awarded the prize, “this volunteer project is an essential axis of community participation and involvement. This program is distinguished by having conceived volunteering not only as logistical support for the organization of events—the initiative is the result of close collaboration between the Braga 25 Mission team and the municipal volunteer structure, Braga Voluntária. Together, these entities promote a program that values civic participation and a spirit of collaboration, amplifying the impact of Braga 25 on the city and its inhabitants.”
In order to involve the community outside the cultural and artistic sector, the Braga 25 Volunteer Program sought to integrate all those who wanted to be part of the Portuguese Capital of Culture title through different volunteer opportunities that promote active citizenship, help emancipate citizens, and provide varied individual and collective empowerment experiences.
The program, which promoted around 500 activities involving volunteers during the year of the Portuguese Capital of Culture, is the result of close collaboration between the Braga 25 Mission Team and the Municipal Volunteer Structure – Braga Voluntária, and aims to encourage volunteering, reinforcing values such as collaboration and civic participation.
In total, around 101 volunteers took part in the program, with different profiles and tasks, such as guiding the public, promoting events, and supporting production.
For Joana Fernandes, Executive Coordinator and Program Coordinator at Braga 25, “it is with great honor that we receive this Portuguese Volunteer Award in the Innovation category. A program like this does not build itself, and it is important to recognize those who structured it and kept it running every day. Cláudia Cibrão and Carolina Cardoso, from Faz Cultura, whose daily dedication, sensitivity, and resilience have made this project a place where volunteers feel truly welcome. Márcia Silva, from Braga Voluntária, our tireless partner, whose knowledge and experience were absolutely fundamental. And also Joana Antunes and Ronaldo Araújo, from the Culture Division of the Municipality of Braga, whose collaboration was decisive in the operationalization of this process.”