Palavras que Contam — Intercultural Literature is a project that aims to promote reading and writing habits among young people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Through creative writing, illustration and artistic expression practices, the project fosters engagement with writing and reading, imagination and the creation of original narratives, valuing creativity as a tool for participation and self-expression.

Simultaneously, it seeks to contribute to a more plural and inclusive publishing landscape by creating opportunities for new voices and new authors to emerge.

From hands-on creative workshops to continuous listening and community building — the work of Palavras que Contam rests on three connected pillars.

The three pillars unfold step by step — each one building on the last, from the first creative workshop to a growing community of young authors.

Creative writing and illustration workshops bring young people closer to reading, imagination and literary creation — developing original projects and small publications such as minizines.

Evaluation accompanies the process continuously, understanding how reading, writing and creating transform young people’s relationships with words, themselves and others.

Young people from different backgrounds share experiences, ideas and stories — building relationships and trust. Because words don’t just tell stories; they help build community.

In their own words

Palavras que Contam is supported by Portugal Inovação Social, within Portugal 2030, through European Union funds, and by the Câmara Municipal de Sintra as social investor. The official project record is available below.