Words That Count was born from a simple conviction: literacy isn’t built through reading alone — it’s also built through writing, imagining, and shaping the world through words. Since its launch, this AKF Portugal initiative has guided young people from across the country on an extraordinary journey: from curious readers to published authors. We partner with schools, educators, and local communities to create spaces where creative writing thrives. Our methodology, developed alongside education and children’s literature specialists, guides each young author from the first spark of inspiration to the publication of their work. The result? Stories that surprise, voices that inspire, and a growing community that believes in the power of words. Every published book is more than an individual achievement — it’s proof that when we give young people the right tools and confidence, their words truly count.