Dive in to Faro2027: What have we done? What are we doing? What plans do we have for the future?

Faro2027 had strong local and regional support from the beginning. In the municipality, the project was unanimously approved twice, in the region (Association of Municipalities) in addition to financial support and commitment, several projects were developed. The University contributed to the reflection and implementation of projects as well as the Tourism Board. The Regional Agency for Community Funds, The Regional Cultural Directorate, The Regional Youth Institute, Business and Commercial Associations and Political Representatives elected by the Algarve, united for this purpose. All understand the importance of the process for de development of the region. Faro 2027 is one of the important projects in the cooperation agreement in the AAA region (Alentejo – Algarve – Andalusia).

Faro2027 is a participatory process, a public process. After thousands of participations collected on the street, in the market, in debates and conferences, in interviews and focus groups, we started a structured dialogue with national and international experts who helped to focus on the themes of the application and whose result can be consulted in the book: Faro2027, now what?

Faro2027 is synonymous of Europe and networking. In response to the great confinements that shook the world during the peaks of the pandemic, we launched the Europe at Home project. More than 30 cities, more than 60 artists showed through photos and texts the experiences of cities in confinement. The book recently launched is a piece that will be part of the history of this difficult moment in our history.

Faro2027 was the precursor of new European networks. The ECRN European Creative Rooftop Network brings together 9 cities funded by the Creative Europe program in a 4M€ program for 4 years, to work on European rooftops, discuss the relationship between public/private space, green cities and new spaces for artistic creation. Also in 2019, Açoteia was born, the first Rooftops Festival in Faro.

Faro2027 was and continues to be an enabler of urban transformation. The ambitious and innovative project for one of the most iconic buildings in Faro, Fábrica da Cerveja, was recently presented. The city will gradually open up to the Ria Formosa (the lagoon) and the Cultural KM will be born, the recovery of the axis that connects the Theater to São Francisco Square, a new way of experiencing nature.

Faro2027 went where the people are. We launched the Banca de Cultura project, which for more than 1 year (still is…) has received contributions, listens to the aspirations and concerns of the people of Faro in a stall in the municipal market between the sale of fruit and fish. But “the banca” was also digital, it went to associations and communities, listened to artists and creatives in a real wave of public participation.

Faro2027 was the driving force behind the Faro2030 PEC - The Cultural Strategy of Faro. An innovative document, fully based on the 4 dimensions of UNESCO's reading of the Sustainable Development Goals. A document that intends to completely change the cultural and creative sector of Faro in the next 10 years and that had the participation of more than 400 people in its elaboration. Also at a regional level, the strategic documento “Cultura Algarve 2030” was created, to give a prospective vision for culture in the region for 10 years.

Faro2027 has entered the schools by creating innovative digital projects that make young people look at their city and its heritage in a different way. We launched the MI.MO.MO.FARO project where more than 120 students recreated modernist houses in the city in a Minecraft environment. The second edition will have around 600 students and the special participation of students from Kaunas and Mozambique.

With the project Cataplana of the World we bring intercultural dialogue to the table. We invite immigrants to cook a Cataplana (traditional Algarve kitchen pan) with products from their countries of origin. This Cataplana was enjoyed by other families who also live in Faro. The joint experience of different cultures has secular roots in the Algarve.