The project “Filarmonias: Música para Todos” was awarded 1st place in the Culture category of the 5th National Education Awards, promoted by Betweien. The distinction was presented on September 30 at the Gil Vicente Cultural Center in Sardoal.
This award-winning initiative aimed to provide free access to music learning for young people aged 10 to 16, with a particular focus on young immigrants, from diverse cultural backgrounds, and those in situations of social vulnerability. The project involved the philharmonic bands of the Leiria municipality, in collaboration with the Association of Municipal Philharmonic Bands and four immigrant associations.
Over 30 weeks, participants benefited from instrument lessons, musical training, and ensemble practice, complemented by concerts, public presentations, and integration activities within the philharmonic bands. The project, supported by Centro 2030 through the Inclusion through Culture notice, sought to democratize access to music, utilizing the local philharmonic network as a proximity structure for training, cultural participation, and inclusion, valuing it as living cultural heritage and a space for intergenerational and community encounters.
This recognition aligns with Leiria's strategy as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, reinforcing the role of music in education, participation, and community cohesion. Additionally, the Municipality of Leiria received an Honorable Mention in the Fostering Learning category for the Invest in Capacity Program (PIC), a municipal initiative for children and young people with above-average abilities, developed in partnership with the Portuguese Association of Gifted Children and the Leiria Polytechnic.
The PIC focuses on developing participants' cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal potential, promoting their school, family, and community integration through experiences in Science and Mathematics, Robotics and Technology, Arts, Creative Writing, Communication, Sports, and Personal and Social Development. The initiative also aims to involve families and teachers, deepening the understanding of these children's specific educational needs.
The Councilor for Education and Culture of the Municipality of Leiria, Anabela Graça, highlighted that these awards reflect the importance of ensuring access to culture and creating conditions for the full development of each child and young person's abilities. She also emphasized that "culture is a fundamental dimension of education," as contact with music and the arts develops skills, creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of belonging, contributing to a more inclusive and participatory society.
