Contextos

CONTEXTOS is a cultural cooperative based in Faro, Portugal, dedicated to tackling societal challenges through tailored, community-driven projects. Its mission is to strengthen community development as a driver of sustainable social change, using participatory tools and non-formal education methodologies to build the skills and capacities of individuals and organizations. CONTEXTOS works across culture, media, education and training, participatory democracy, active citizenship, human rights, intercultural dialogue, social entrepreneurship, delivered by a team of six full-time professionals supported by collaborators and volunteers.

CONTEXTOS’ activities are centred on participatory democracy, youth empowerment, and community-led sustainable development, with hands-on delivery in Faro, Portugal, through projects that move citizens from consultation to co-creation and decision-making.

Core activities and experience:

Participatory governance and citizen decision-making: facilitation of the Faro Participatory Budget process, enabling citizens to propose and vote on initiatives funded through the municipal budget, strengthening informed and responsible civic participation.

Civic engagement and community voice amplification: implementation of Communities Driving Change (Europe for Citizens), empowering residents to articulate needs and priorities and improving the quality of information reaching institutions and decision-makers, supported by digital tools and community-based fieldwork.

Structured dialogue: delivery of Designing Dialogue (Erasmus+), including democracy labs and participatory processes that identify barriers and co-develop solutions, promoting youth civic competences and practical pathways to influence institutions.

Inclusive community ecosystems and participatory methodologies: engagement in projects focused on civic participation, inclusion, and community strengthening across several European contexts, producing evidence and practical recommendations for more inclusive and resilient local ecosystems.

Non-formal learning, training, and capacity-building: extensive experience delivering training courses (residential and non-residential), seminars, and practical sessions for youth, civil society, and stakeholders, including youth/community initiatives, youth exchanges, volunteering projects, and hackathon-style formats.

Creative and digital participation tools: projects such as DigitArt! and EducArts! that use arts-based methods, participatory video, and digital narratives to strengthen participation, rights awareness, and engagement with European values, translating civic topics into accessible learning experiences.

Evidence-driven design and dissemination: organisation of research and data processing activities, plus production of multimedia materials to educate and mobilise communities, particularly young people, around civic roles and sustainable city-building.