“At the moment, we only have the support of Finabrantes, which amounts to 5,600 euros, and with this, we cannot fully carry out the Festa do Futuro program. Therefore, we have started this fundraising campaign,” Carolina Serrão, president of the cultural association Além Mundus, the event's promoter, told Lusa news agency.

The crowdfunding campaign, launched on the PPL platform, aims to raise approximately 5,000 euros to fund the musical component of the festival, scheduled for August 1st and 2nd in the village of Souto, in the north of the municipality of Abrantes, Santarém district.

Created in 2024 by the Além Mundus association, the Festival of the Future presents itself as a community festival that brings together culture, art, environmental reflection, and citizen participation, involving residents, associations, and cultural agents of the region in the construction of the program.

After a first edition dedicated to the theme "Collective" and a second focused on "Forest," this year's theme will be "Water."

According to Carolina Serrão, the loss of previously granted support from public entities, following changes in funding models, has left the organisation dependent on municipal support obtained through the Finabrantes program.

"Several grants have fallen through, and we are left with funds that only cover part of this year's programming," she said.

The organiser explained that the concerts and the costs associated with renting sound and lighting equipment are the main expenses of the initiative.

"The majority of programming, especially music, is at risk since it's the largest expense," he stated.

According to the organisation, municipal support has already guaranteed the realisation of several initiatives, such as theatre and dance performances, workshops, themed walks, a short film festival, an exhibition dedicated to the storms that affected the country, and the creation of a community mural on the theme of water.

“If everyone gives a little, everyone gives within their means, and we can reach the 5,000 euros we need for this part of the musical program,” stated Carolina Serrão.

Without the missing funds, the organisation may be forced to significantly reduce the planned program, she admitted, warning of the impact this would have on the local dynamic.

“Without music, we will have fewer people, and if we have fewer people, everyone will be harmed,” she stated.

The organisation considers that the festival also has a significant economic impact on the village of Souto and neighbouring localities, involving local associations, merchants, artisans, and small producers.

This year, the initiative will once again include a craft and second-hand goods fair, with around twenty exhibitors, in addition to the participation of several local associations.

The 2026 edition will promote activities reflecting on extreme weather events, water resources, and territory.

“We will have an exhibition about Storm Kristin and the storms that ravaged the centre of the country. We will talk about water, floods, the Castelo de Bode dam, and reflect on all these issues,” she added.

For Carolina Serrão, the festival is seen as an instrument for revitalising the inland territories.

“Our idea is to work in the interior, to revitalise this area, to bring people here and show that the interior also deserves to have initiatives, events, and life,” she declared.

The fundraising campaign runs until 13 July and has already surpassed €2,100, about 39% of the defined goal.

The program for the 3rd edition will be presented on July 19th in the village of Matagosa, parish of Carvalhal, also in the municipality of Abrantes.