The initiative, called ProMuseus Respostas de Emergência 2026, was announced by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on 2 October and aims to help affected museums carry out repairs and return to normal operations.

The funding is intended for museums belonging to the Portuguese Museum Network (Rede Portuguesa de Museus) in municipalities that were officially declared disaster areas following the extreme weather conditions earlier this year.

Several regions of Portugal were affected by storms and flooding in January and February, particularly Storm Kristin, which caused considerable damage to buildings, infrastructure and cultural heritage sites.

Under the new programme, eligible museums can receive up to €100,000 each, covering the full cost of approved repairs that are not already covered by insurance.

The financial assistance can be used for conservation work, repairs and other necessary improvements to help museums reopen or continue operating normally.

The Government explained that the programme was developed after Museus e Monumentos de Portugal carried out an assessment of the damage reported by museums across the affected areas.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Margarida Balseiro Lopes said the assessment helped identify the needs of individual museums and determine how the funding should be distributed.

She added that the initiative would help affected institutions return to normal while protecting the cultural heritage they preserve.

Applications open until 23 October

Museums wishing to receive funding have until 23 October to submit their applications through the Portuguese Museum Network's online platform.

Applications will be assessed based on three main factors: the risk of losing cultural heritage, the extent of the damage and the impact the storms have had on the museum's normal activities.

Priority will be given to museums where valuable collections or heritage are at greater risk.

Applicants must provide details of the damage, photographs and an estimate of the repair costs, together with information about any insurance coverage.

The programme is aimed at museums that have already reported storm-related damage to Museus e Monumentos de Portugal. Museums directly managed by that organisation are not eligible for this particular funding.

The new support is part of the Government's efforts to repair the damage caused by this year's severe weather and help cultural institutions continue welcoming visitors.

For museums that have been struggling with repairs since the storms, the funding offers an opportunity to restore their facilities and protect collections that form an important part of Portugal's history and cultural heritage.

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