Preserving Portuguese heritage through sustainable design: TUI Care Foundation supports young designers in Lisbon
New TUI Colourful Cultures project trains 115 young adults in sustainable design practices, creating innovative tourism products that celebrate Portuguese heritage
Initiative bridges cultural heritage preservation with modern sustainability practices to transform Lisbon's tourism product offerings
Monthly exhibitions and a creative hub in Lisbon's historic Chiado district will showcase sustainable products and connect artisans with tourism businesses and visitors
To address these challenges, the TUI Care Foundation has partnered with Admirável Reino – Associação (Escola do Largo) to launch TUI Colourful Cultures Lisbon. The initiative empowers young adults in various aspects of sustainable design whilst fostering a new generation of professionals capable of addressing environmental and social challenges in tourism.
The project will provide comprehensive training to young adults aged 18-38, with a focus on creating sustainable products that celebrate Portuguese heritage. The curriculum includes twelve specialised modules covering sustainable design principles, circular economy, fashion design, natural fabric dyeing, product design, sustainable packaging, marketing, digital design, interior design, and entrepreneurship.
Based in Lisbon's popular Chiado historic district, the project will establish a creative hub where participants can develop innovative products using sustainable and traditional techniques. Each month, exhibitions open to the public will showcase student work, creating direct connections between emerging designers and the tourism market. The initiative will also organise study visits to sustainable hotels, suppliers, and design events, providing participants with real-world insights into sustainable tourism practices.
The project will directly benefit 115 young entrepreneurs and emerging designers, with a focus on financially vulnerable individuals, offering free tuition for 60 of them. 22 events, including monthly exhibitions at Escola do Largo and learning expeditions will be organised to promote sustainable design in tourism. These activities will also reach visitors, including tourists interested in authentic, sustainable products.
TUI Colourful Cultures Lisbon responds to the need for the city and its stakeholders to adapt to the new paradigm of sustainable development, contributing to the transformation of tourism and the local economy. By training a new generation of designers in sustainable practices and creating market linkages with hotels and tourism businesses, the project aims to develop high-quality, locally produced alternatives to mass-produced imported souvenirs, supporting the preservation of local culture at the same time.
This initiative is part of the global TUI Colourful Cultures Programme, which protects cultural heritage and empowers creatives in tourism destinations around the world.
About the TUI Care Foundation
Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world's leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands. Website: www.tuicarefoundation.com
About Admirável Reino – Associação (Escola do Largo)
Admirável Reino – Associação is a non-profit association dedicated to artistic creation and production, cultural programming, and training. Based in the heart of Lisbon's Chiado district, the organization manages Escola do Largo, a space dedicated to programming, training, and artistic creation, and the Centro Internacional de Dramaturgia (CID), which focuses on developing Portuguese dramaturgy and ensuring the representation of all social groups in Portuguese theater. The association believes that art is essential for political reflection, where artists and the public engage in questioning fundamental issues of the contemporary world.
