Escolas Solidárias
The EDP Foundation's "Escolas Solidárias" [Solidarity Schools] Programme ran over 2010 and 2020 with the purpose of teaching the younger generations the value of active citizenship. The aim was to encourage and mobilise young people to improve the quality of life in their communities, seeking to meet major challenges such as the fight against poverty, access to education and health, and the promotion of gender equality and sustainability, among other issues.
Over nine consecutive editions, more than a thousand schools participated in this programme, with more than 6,000 citizenship initiatives held across all districts of mainland Portugal and in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos.
Orquestra Energia
The EDP Foundation's Orquestra Energia [Energy Orchestra] was a project for social inclusion through music that involved children and young people between the ages of 6 and 16 from schools in the municipalities of Amarante, Murça and Mirandela.
Promoted by the EDP Foundation since 2010 and under the artistic and educational direction of Casa da Música since 2015, this project promotes the social integration of children and young people from vulnerable social and economic backgrounds, giving them access to musical training, encouraging academic success, combating early school abandonment and contributing to the construction of lifelong learning and ambition.
The teaching of music is a tool that promotes teamwork, discipline and responsibility, improving the self-esteem of students and their families and bringing parents closer to the educational process.
In Amarante, Murça and Mirandela, over 100 students participate in EDP Foundation's Orquestra Energia each school year.
Since the 2018/19 school year, the Ministry of Education has taken over responsibility for the ongoing and future execution of the Orquestra Energia project in the three municipalities, reinforcing its teaching teams.
