PortuguêsCitizenship Academy received funding under the Catalyst of Change – NHC programme for the development of the project “Why Do We Protest?”, a documentary web series dedicated to the analysis and representation of civic space and climate activism in Portugal.
The project emerges in a context of increasing pressure on civic space, marked by attempts to restrict the right to protest, disinformation campaigns, and processes of stigmatisation and criminalisation of activists, particularly in the climate field. These dynamics have contributed to the construction of public narratives that devalue or distort the role of activism as a legitimate expression of democratic participation.
Framework and Objectives
“Why Do We Protest?” seeks to contribute to a more informed public understanding of protest and civic participation by giving visibility to the motivations, practices, and democratic frameworks of climate activism in Portugal. The project is aligned with the objectives of the Catalyst of Change – NHC funding, by strengthening the communicative capacity of civil society organisations and promoting the values of the European Union.
Through the production and dissemination of audiovisual content, the project aims to:
- Counter stigmatising narratives about climate activism;
- Promote recognition of protest as a legitimate democratic practice;
- Strengthen dialogue between civil society, the media, and the general public;
- Contribute to the defence of civic space and fundamental rights.
With this funding, Citizenship Academy strengthens its capacities in digital communication, civic space monitoring, and the production of public narratives, contributing to a more informed, plural, and responsible debate on civic participation in Portugal.
By: Gabriela Benedeti