A Cidade que queremos

CSO: A Reserva na Fábrica – Associação para a Criatividade, Mediação Cultural e Empreendedorismo
Area: Sustainable Cities
Location: Oeiras

Type of project

The project is interesting because it aims to raise awareness about sustainable cities, climate change, and the role of active citizenship in building a greener future, through the creation and presentation of collaborative lectures-performances aimed mainly at young audiences of school age (and adults undergoing professional and educational requalification). It’s appealing moment is a community festival directed to the Youth, which we consider that will be an interesting way to reach disengaged.

It aims to bring new audiences, new people and ways of doing things to civic and ecological movement, to promote the role of each citizen in a more ecological future and it considers that culture plays a fundamental role in understanding who we are, where we come from and where we are going. Hence the idea of creating an artistic and intellectual object, as well as the creation of a community festival.

Target (Disengaged)

Lectures-Performances: By taking the project to schools,this initiative aims to reach young people of school age (and adults in the process of professional requalification) who may not be directly exposed to sustainability issues and the debate about the climate crisis. Lectures in performance format will make the content accessible and engaging, helping to connect science to the daily reality of these audiences. Community Festival: The public event, within a specific community, encourages mass participation, especially through cultural activities and open conversations by people who are potentially uninterested or who would not have access to this type of activity otherwise. The diversity of formats helps to attract a varied audience, including those less familiar with climate issues – always with the focus on the local community where the festival space will be located.
Besides, the community festival will take place in Cova da Moura neighborhood (a social neighborhood), potentially in the space of the Associação Cultural Moinho da Juventude (to be confirmed) and the surrounding area. This location will garanty the coherence of action and the focus in the various target groups and project activities.

Science – Based

The project aims to promote trust in science through activities with experts, namely the involvement of climate scientists and sociologists who legitimize content and encourages trust in science. During the festival and lectures, the use of data and evidence will be emphasized, showing the scientific basis for sustainable practices. Workshop and Conversations with sustainability experts will help to ‘translate’ the science for the general public, promoting accessible, fact-based understanding.

Gender

When it comes to gender issues, they want to promote inclusion and talk about the female presence in prominent positions as it will help to inspire an inclusive and egalitarian vision of sustainability leadership. Besides the choice of creators, scientists, artists and speakers involved in the various project activities and programming reflect and pay attention to gender diversity and ethnic belonging, promoting inclusion.

Planned activities

Target group is 800 participating citizens, including students from 5 schools, local citizens and the artistic community

Raising awareness

A minimum of 6 performance lectures held in 5 schools and one IEFP center with more than 555 participants
Before the lectures, it is expected that 30% (approximately 167 people) will already demonstrate knowledge or interest in the topics covered. After participation, it is estimated that this number will rise to 90% (around 500 people).

Community involvement

600 people over the 3 days of the “The City We Want” festival

Educational activities and dialogues with experts to promote trust in science

At least 1 climate researcher and one sociologist will be involved, who will contribute to the development of the content based on scientific and social approaches.
At the “The City We Want” festival, at least one conversation titled “The City We Want” will be held, with the participation of at least 3 experts to explore the challenges and opportunities of building sustainable cities.
2 workshops will be led by teams made up of at least 1 artist and 1 specialist on the topic, ensuring the integration of artistic and technical perspectives.
Estimated total of 7 experts involved throughout the project
In the performance lectures, with a total of 555 expected participants, it is expected that 80% will respond to the surveys administered before and after the sessions. This will result in 444 participants evaluated.
During the festival, with an expected participation of 600 people, it is estimated that 50% will respond to the evaluation questionnaires. This will result in 300 participants evaluated.
Estimated total number of participants evaluated on the importance of sustainable practices: 744

Action model

The project has 3 results:

R1 is to increase awareness about sustainable cities and the role of each citizen in an ecological future, with performance lectures.
R2 is involvement in sustainability practices and imagining new urban possibilities, with the festival “A Cidade na Fábrica de Alternativas”.
R3 aims to promote trust in science through educational activities and dialogues with experts. The project might be effective by reaching young disengaged with a festival.