In Portugal, the Catholic Church has always driven charitable fundraising. However, despite this religious influence—which is also present in Ireland—philanthropy for science has never truly developed. The single exception to this is the legacy of the businessman Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian: the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. This foundation has shaped the artistic, educational and scientific scene in Portugal during the past 50 years. Apart from this contribution, Portuguese society has few examples of charitable institutions dedicated to fundraising for science.
Additionally, the Portuguese economy has not undergone a growth period similar to the ‘Celtic Tiger' period in Ireland. Before joining the EU in 1986, the Portuguese economy was predominantly based on agriculture, fishing and trade. Despite new investment and developments since joining the EU, the Portuguese economy is still outperformed by most other EU countries—a potential factor contributing to the small philanthropic effort seen in Portugal.
Despite this, there are some recent examples of philanthropy in Portugal that suggest that the private sector and the general population are becoming more aware of the benefits of giving for science.
The most striking example is the recent creation of the Fundação Sommer-Champalimaud by a Portuguese entrepreneur. This fund aims to invest a total of around €400 million in biomedical research, making it the second largest foundation in Portugal. More good examples are Fundação Bial, which has funded researchers and research projects in biomedicine and the neurosciences since 1994, and the campaign, ‘Friends of IPATIMUP', launched for the first time in 2004 to raise funds for the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP; Portugal), which is dedicated to cancer research.
More recently, other institutions have emerged to support research into specific diseases in Portugal. One example is the Associação Portuguesa Contra a Leucemia, which was started in 2002 by leukaemia patients and regularly organizes fundraising events. The most famous of these is a biennial concert, which attracts significant public attention and money. The success of this association suggests that the Portuguese are ready to contribute to specific causes, as long as an organized infrastructure raises awareness and channels people's generosity.
The non-profit organization Associação Viver a Ciência was created in 2004 by a group of young scientists concerned with the future of philanthropy in Portugal. The Associação Viver a Ciência believes that if citizens become engaged with science, they will appreciate its benefits and contribute to it. The association has organized several science-promoting events including publications, exhibitions and workshops, and has successfully attracted private investment for research by creating two sponsored annual prizes for Portuguese life scientists. The Crioestaminal Award is awarded for an outstanding biomedical research project, whereas the Citomed Award is given for a peer-reviewed scientific paper in immunology. In addition, Viver a Ciência collaborated with the media, several companies and other organizations throughout 2005 and 2006 to promote the Law of Scientific Sponsorship (Lei do Mecenato Científico). This law provides tax benefits for science-related donations.
These and other examples indicate that the time is right to create a framework for philanthropic donation to science in Portugal, similar to those in Ireland and the UK. Despite a climate of economic crisis—and perhaps even as a consequence of it—people realize that they can directly influence the future through charitable donations. Importantly, the Portuguese people are starting to acknowledge the need for accountability and transparency—they want to make sure that their money is used efficiently, fairly and ethically.
However, much work remains to be done to create such a framework for philanthropy—and it has to involve all of Portuguese society. Well-established systems similar to those in Ireland and the UK should be used as models for Portugal, and International recommendations, similar to those made in the report, Giving more for research in Europe (EC, 2005), should be embraced by all parties involved. It is clear that science and the scientists in Portugal—and in the rest of Europe—would appreciate and benefit from such a collective effort. Therefore, it is vital to achieving the goals set by the Lisbon Agenda.
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Sofia Rodrigues, Maria Mota, Leonor Saúde, Sheila Vidal and Margarida Trindade
Additionally, the Portuguese economy has not undergone a growth period similar to the ‘Celtic Tiger' period in Ireland. Before joining the EU in 1986, the Portuguese economy was predominantly based on agriculture, fishing and trade. Despite new investment and developments since joining the EU, the Portuguese economy is still outperformed by most other EU countries—a potential factor contributing to the small philanthropic effort seen in Portugal.
Despite this, there are some recent examples of philanthropy in Portugal that suggest that the private sector and the general population are becoming more aware of the benefits of giving for science.
The most striking example is the recent creation of the Fundação Sommer-Champalimaud by a Portuguese entrepreneur. This fund aims to invest a total of around €400 million in biomedical research, making it the second largest foundation in Portugal. More good examples are Fundação Bial, which has funded researchers and research projects in biomedicine and the neurosciences since 1994, and the campaign, ‘Friends of IPATIMUP', launched for the first time in 2004 to raise funds for the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP; Portugal), which is dedicated to cancer research.
More recently, other institutions have emerged to support research into specific diseases in Portugal. One example is the Associação Portuguesa Contra a Leucemia, which was started in 2002 by leukaemia patients and regularly organizes fundraising events. The most famous of these is a biennial concert, which attracts significant public attention and money. The success of this association suggests that the Portuguese are ready to contribute to specific causes, as long as an organized infrastructure raises awareness and channels people's generosity.
The non-profit organization Associação Viver a Ciência was created in 2004 by a group of young scientists concerned with the future of philanthropy in Portugal. The Associação Viver a Ciência believes that if citizens become engaged with science, they will appreciate its benefits and contribute to it. The association has organized several science-promoting events including publications, exhibitions and workshops, and has successfully attracted private investment for research by creating two sponsored annual prizes for Portuguese life scientists. The Crioestaminal Award is awarded for an outstanding biomedical research project, whereas the Citomed Award is given for a peer-reviewed scientific paper in immunology. In addition, Viver a Ciência collaborated with the media, several companies and other organizations throughout 2005 and 2006 to promote the Law of Scientific Sponsorship (Lei do Mecenato Científico). This law provides tax benefits for science-related donations.
These and other examples indicate that the time is right to create a framework for philanthropic donation to science in Portugal, similar to those in Ireland and the UK. Despite a climate of economic crisis—and perhaps even as a consequence of it—people realize that they can directly influence the future through charitable donations. Importantly, the Portuguese people are starting to acknowledge the need for accountability and transparency—they want to make sure that their money is used efficiently, fairly and ethically.
However, much work remains to be done to create such a framework for philanthropy—and it has to involve all of Portuguese society. Well-established systems similar to those in Ireland and the UK should be used as models for Portugal, and International recommendations, similar to those made in the report, Giving more for research in Europe (EC, 2005), should be embraced by all parties involved. It is clear that science and the scientists in Portugal—and in the rest of Europe—would appreciate and benefit from such a collective effort. Therefore, it is vital to achieving the goals set by the Lisbon Agenda.
+ info
Sofia Rodrigues, Maria Mota, Leonor Saúde, Sheila Vidal and Margarida Trindade
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