“Saber Fazer” Programme
The “Saber Fazer” Programme is Portugal’s national strategy for the safeguarding of traditional crafts and skills. It promotes knowledge transfer, sustainability, and territorial cohesion by bridging urban-rural divides – turning ancestral techniques into tools for cultural and economic resilience.
Launched in 2022 and coordinated by Portugal’s Directorate-General for the Arts, the “Saber Fazer” Programme implements the country’s national strategy for traditional crafts and artisanal knowledge. The programme recognises the significance of these practices for both cultural identity and sustainable development, and sets out concrete measures for securing their recognition, transmission and long-term viability. The programme is co-funded by the European Union through its Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The overarching goal of “Saber Fazer” is to establish traditional artisanal production as a dynamic, innovative and sustainable endeavour that actively contributes to the richness and diversity of Portugal’s cultural heritage and to the country’s socio-economic development.
At the core of the programme is an open-access digital repository that maps traditional crafts, production units and master artisans across Portugal. This online platform integrates audiovisual documentation, interviews, historical and ethnographic research, and serves as both a tool for cultural policy and a living archive for practitioners.
The programme has also developed a series of Territorial Intervention Laboratories (TILs): local, hands-on initiatives delivered throughout the country. These field labs foster collaboration between craftspeople, local authorities, schools, researchers and civil society. They are site-specific and focus on techniques, ranging from embroidery and black clay pottery to corkworking and artisanal cutlery-making. Each lab includes workshops, intergenerational exchange, thematic exhibitions, and public conversations. To date, five TILs have been held, with more in preparation.
Since 2022, over 970 artisans have been added to the repository, and more than 65 workshops and events have taken place. Special focus is given to older artisans and those working in low-density regions where cultural heritage is at greater risk of disappearance. These initiatives directly support transmission between generations, help reconnect communities with traditional knowledge, and generate renewed interest among younger practitioners.
A companion book series, itinerant exhibitions, and public dialogue events extend the programme’s reach. The creation of the “Saber Fazer” Routes – 15 thematic itineraries, both digital and physical, promote artisans’ work while fostering cultural tourism, visibility, and pride in local knowledge.
The “Saber Fazer” Programme is part of the National Network of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which functions as an informal platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and good practices, aiming to safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage. With strong national support the “Saber Fazer” Programme will continue beyond 2025, ensuring long-term continuity and impact.
“The programme’s holistic, government-backed approach, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary approaches and an appreciation of the marketplace, is a model for social and economic development,” the Awards’ Jury stated. “The robust methodology and well-documented outputs of the “Saber Fazer” Programme provide clear potential for wider application,” the Jury commented.
Contact: Américo Rodrigues | Directorate-General for the Arts, Campo Grande 83 – 1º 1700-088 Lisboa | direcao@dgartes.pt | www.dgartes.gov.pt