Orquestra Geração is a social intervention through music programme. Its main musical outlet is the orchestra and it was founded in 2007 in the Miguel Torga school in the city of Amadora, near Lisbon.
Since its start in 2007, the programme has experienced incredible growth and, as of 2019, Orquestra Geração was active in 22 schools around the Portuguese capital, with centres in the towns and cities of Almada, Amadora, Lisbon, Loures, Oeiras, Sesimbra, Vila Franca de Xira (Vialonga Orchestra) and Coimbra.
Orquestra Geração applies the El Sistema methodology originally taught in Venezuela by Dr. José António Abreu (recipient of the Prince of Asturias and Erasmus prizes for his work). Using this approach, the programme works to educate children and young people throughout their childhood and adolescence, from nursery school age (The Affections Orchestra) through to university (Geração Youth Orchestra).
For its work, Orquestra Geração has been recognised with the following distinctions:
- 2010 – awarded the National Teachers’ Prize by the Portuguese Ministry of Education
- 2013 and 2014 – named as one of the 50 best social projects in the EU by the European Commission
- 2017 – officially recognised for its work by the Mota Engil Foundation in Oporto
- 2018 - crowned best social project of the year by the Ageas Foundation and given a gold medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Portuguese Parliament