The “Linha de Encontro” Capacity-Building Programme, led by Évora_27 in partnership with CIMAC, is launching a new cycle, featuring thematic sessions aimed at the artistic and cultural sector of the Alentejo.

The programme is intended for cultural agents based in the Alentejo — artists, cultural organisations, technicians and other sector professionals — fostering greater cohesion and collaboration among them.

Depending on the number of places available in each session, the type of training (theoretical, practical, laboratory-based), and the capacity of each venue, priority will be given to cultural agents based in Central Alentejo, CIMAC’s area of intervention. Applicants from other sub-regions will be admitted in order of registration and subject to venue capacity and/or participation limits defined by the trainers and the training format.

This cycle of sessions seeks to strengthen and build capacity within the cultural sector, helping it become better equipped to respond to social and environmental challenges, more cohesive, better informed, technically stronger, and truly inclusive.

In particular, the initiative aims to support the implementation of projects selected through the Évora_27 open call “A Nossa Vez”, the results of which will be announced in March 2026, as well as the development of new cultural projects within the framework of Évora_27 or other national and European programmes.

The thematic sessions of “Linha de Encontro” will take place between March and December, lasting half a day or a full day, and will be held on a rotating basis across various municipalities.

Participation is free of charge, subject to registration for each individual session.
A certificate of participation will be issued for each session attended.
The registration form will be available in the section corresponding to each session on this page (below).

14 March
EUROPEAN FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE
Trainer: Sara Machado (Europa Criativa)
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registration: CLOSED.

About the Trainer: Sara Machado is a cultural manager and currently Director of the Culture strand at Europa Criativa Desk Portugal. She previously built a solid career across various organisations and countries: Festival Escena Contemporánea and the Ministry of Culture [ES]; European Cultural Foundation [NL], Pearle* Live Performance Europe [BE], Performing Arts Portugal and EIRA/CUMPLICIDADES – Lisbon International Contemporary Dance Festival [PT]. She has been awarded several scholarships and fellowships, including: ISPA – International Society for the Performing Arts [USA], Tandem Shaml [DE], ASEF – Asia-Europe Foundation “Mobility First” [SG] and Producers Academy [BE]. She holds a degree in Information Sciences from the University of Porto and a Master’s in Cultural Management from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

PROGRAMME:
European funding for culture and the arts is often perceived as a difficult puzzle to assemble (and disassemble). However, it represents an essential opportunity for those seeking to internationalise their activity, expand collaborative networks and strengthen their presence beyond national borders.

This initiative is structured in two complementary moments: an information session and a practical workshop. The information session will present the general framework of the Culture strand of the Europa Criativa Programme — a European Union instrument dedicated to the cultural and creative sectors (with the exception of audiovisual and cinema). The fundamental principles of competitive European funding programmes will also be addressed, clarifying their operational logic, evaluation criteria and co-financing mechanisms.

The practical workshop will focus on the operational dimension of applications, exploring topics such as building international partnerships, defining objectives and impact, common mistakes and concrete recommendations for completing application forms. Cross-cutting principles applicable to other European programmes will also be shared. Although each session may be attended independently, they have been designed as an articulated whole: the morning component provides the strategic framework, while the afternoon session deepens the practical dimension of project design and structuring.

11 April
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS: DESIGN AND PLANNING, CO-PRODUCTION, ARTIST MOBILITY
Trainer: Magda Bizarro
Location: Montemor-o-Novo (Municipal Library Auditorium)
Registration: available soon

16 May
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL PROJECTS
Trainer: Inês Câmara (Mapas das Ideias)
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registration: available soon

18 June
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN THE CULTURAL SECTOR: TAXATION, SOCIAL SECURITY, RPAC
Trainer: Maria João Garcia
Location: Estremoz (Municipal Library)
Registration: available soon

4 July
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Trainer: Maria Vlachou
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registration: available soon

29 August
PROGRAMMING IN LOW-DENSITY TERRITORIES: CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL
Trainer: Luís Sousa Ferreira
Location: Arraiolos (Municipal Library)
Registration: available soon

12 September
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DISSEMINATION OF ARTISTIC WORK
Trainer: Cristina Planas Leitão
Location: Redondo (Redondo Cultural Centre)
Registration: available soon

22 October
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE EVENTS
Trainer: Associação Zero
Location: Évora (Convento de S. Bento de Cástris)
Registration: available soon

21 November
CULTURAL MEDIATION
Trainer: Lara Soares
Location: Mora (Mora Fairgrounds Auditorium)
Registration: available soon

5 December
CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES: NEW MEDIA AND DIGITAL TOOLS
Trainer: Caterina Foà
Location: Borba (Celeiro da Cultura Auditorium)
Registration: available soon