The winning projects of the third edition of the Sonae Educação award were announced this Tuesday, October 21st, an initiative that over the three editions has distinguished “innovative and inclusive projects that improve access and quality of Education at all stages of the learning cycle”.
There are 150 thousand euros, given every year, to projects that the jury – made up of five personalities from different areas – considers to be the most relevant to guarantee greater equity and success in education. This edition had more than 460 applications, a record number.
This year, in addition to having decided to distinguish four projects – something unprecedented – the judges also highlight the presence of a public educational establishment among the winners. In this case, the Gil Vicente School Group, in Lisbon. In addition to a global value of 150 thousand euros, the winners will also be entitled to 12 months of mentoring provided by Sonae. The award, made from a list of ten finalists, was in charge of Eulália Ramos Alexandre (General Directorate of Education), Isabel Leite (EDULOG), Filipe Almeida (Portugal Social Innovation), Ricardo Marvão (Beta-i) and João Günther Amaral (Bright Pixel).
“This year, we have winners who presented us with technology, art, therapeutic intervention and inclusive reading. Four very different approaches, but with a common denominator: putting young people at the center of the action and giving them tools for the future. This is the objective of the Sonae Education Award and we are very proud of this group of winners and eager to monitor the impact of their projects”, highlights Eduardo Piedade, Chief Development Officer at Sonae.
The ‘Ler sem Barreiras’ project was presented by Gil Vicente School Groupfrom Lisbon, and will receive 16 thousand euros, which correspond to the budget submitted in the application, explains Sonae in a statement. “Developed from the school library, it is aimed at students with severe dyslexia or other neurodevelopmental disorders who face great difficulties in reading. The value of the Prize will enable the acquisition of eReaders with reading aloud features, font customization and contrast, allowing inclusive access to literature and knowledge.” The project will benefit around 60 students, who will be exposed to reading for longer, and who will see their self-esteem reinforced, as well as their involvement in school activities and learning.
The ‘Education that Transforms’ project, from CADIn – Child Development Support Center“was awarded with support of 50 thousand euros. This is a national model of inclusion that ensures early diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and training of teachers and families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The Prize will allow CADIn to monitor 200 children and young people over 12 months, take training actions to more schools and in new territories, covering 150 teachers and technicians, develop accessible educational materials and consolidate a model already validated in the field, with recognized impact”.
In the same statement, to which DN had access, Sonae also explains that another prize was awarded with 50 thousand euros. “The Skoola – Associação Música Skoola Artes e Cultura Urbana saw his work of inclusion through art recognized. The urban music academy develops activities with young people in vulnerable contexts, promoting self-esteem, citizenship and new perspectives for the future. The project offers weekly creative sessions to around 200 participants aged between 6 and 18, combining musical expression, song writing and digital production. The financial support will strengthen the sustainability of the initiative and ensure that these children and young people, identified by IPSS and school technicians, have access to art and music”
“Finally, ‘TUMO – Center for Creative Technologies’, from Topsail Associationwas awarded 34,000 euros. This free after-school program combines technology and creativity through self-learning and specialized workshops. It has already impacted more than 2,300 young people in Lisbon and Coimbra and is preparing to reach 4,500 participants in 2025/2026. The award will allow 50 advanced laboratories to be carried out, aimed at a total of 800 students in the 3 TUMO centers, with practical and immersive experiences, reinforcing digital, creative and social skills, and combating structural inequalities”.