Zona Franca nos Anjos | To Resist is to Exist

Zona Franca nos Anjos is a symbol of self-management, independent culture, voluntary collaboration, sharing and transformation in the heart of Lisbon. After 12 years, it faces a challenge that puts its continuity at risk.

Twelve years ago, Zona Franca nos Anjos was born with a clear purpose: to create a place where creativity, dialogue and community action could flourish. Here, artistic projects came to life, social initiatives found support and the community discovered a meeting point. We kept these doors open even when the winds blew against us. We invested, cared for and cultivated this space without ever turning our backs on challenges.

Now, this space is under threat. Our landlord has announced that she will not renew the lease, demanding that the property be vacated by the end of December 2024. The lack of dialogue, viable alternatives and recognition for the work we do here threatens to put an end to everything we have built together. We refuse to accept this imposition that ignores a decade of dedication and investment not only in the physical space, but also in the people who have found a symbolic home there.

We do not accept disappearing without a fight. To resist is to exist.

What's at Stake?

• Culture within Everyone's Reach : From concerts and exhibitions to debates and workshops, the Zona Franca has been a platform for projects and initiatives that enrich the neighborhood and the city.

• Self-management and Volunteering : We are maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers, who believe in building a fairer and more cooperative world.

• Community and Inclusion : The Free Zone is not just a physical space; it is a meeting point for people of different origins, ages and experiences.

If the Free Trade Zone disappears, Lisbon will lose more than just a physical space. It will lose a free zone for meeting, critical thinking and building new futures. Every corner of this space echoes stories of struggle, art and humanity. We cannot allow these stories to be silenced.

The fight for the Free Trade Zone is not just the fight of one group or one space – it is a fight against the precariousness of culture and the commodification of spaces that belong to the community. It is for all those who believe that free and independent spaces are fundamental to a vibrant and inclusive city.

Zona Franca nos Anjos

About the author

Located in the heart of Lisbon’s vibrant Anjos neighborhood, Zona Franca nos Anjos is more than just a physical space; it is a community platform dedicated to promoting social inclusion, sustainability and supporting the local economy. Inspired by the values of solidarity and cooperation, the Zona Franca develops projects that seek to create opportunities and improve the quality of life of the surrounding community.

Among the various projects promoted by Zona Franca, the Cantina Social stands out, an initiative that symbolizes the commitment to solidarity and sustainability. The Cantina Social is a welcoming space where food plays a central role in building social bonds and supporting those most in need.

What makes Zona Franca nos Anjos special?

1. Affordable meals : The Social Canteen offers nutritious meals at reduced prices or even free of charge to people in vulnerable situations. The goal is to ensure that everyone has access to decent food.
2. Food sustainability : The canteen focuses on making use of surplus food and using local and seasonal products, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.
3. Meeting space : Zona Franca in Anjos is a meeting point for the community. It is a place where people from different backgrounds and stories come together, fostering dialogue, the exchange of experiences and the creation of support networks.
4. Complementary activities : In addition to the Social Canteen, Zona Franca organizes workshops, awareness-raising sessions and cultural events, reinforcing the mission of empowering the local community.

The Cantina Social is just one example of the positive impact that Zona Franca has been creating in Anjos. Along with other projects focused on art, education and entrepreneurship, the space continues to be a driver of social transformation in the neighborhood and a model of how solidarity and creativity can go hand in hand.

Whether to participate, contribute or simply learn about the work being done, Zona Franca nos Anjos is an open invitation to be part of a community that believes in the power of unity and local action to create a fairer and more sustainable future.

Zona Franca nos Anjos

Budget and due dates

Our goal is to raise €6,500 to:

• Support the legal and administrative costs of our resistance.
• Make urgent improvements to reinforce the viability of the space.
• Ensure the continuity of events, workshops and projects that benefit the community.

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