On 20 June, the grand halls of the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis in Porto became the stage for the final conference of the CREA-UP project — a gathering that was much more than a closing event. It was a celebration of how art, design and community can intersect to build more sustainable, conscious and imaginative futures.
Organised by CRU Creative Hub, with the support of local partners Associação Quarteirão Criativo and Bombarda, the conference brought together artists, designers, researchers, policy makers, entrepreneurs and members of the broader creative community. Together, they reflected on the journey of CREA-UP — from its early international collaborations to the powerful local impacts achieved in Portugal.
The afternoon began with an optional visit to the exhibition “BOWERBIRD” at Galeria Bombarda ShowCase in CCBombarda. This exhibition showcased the remarkable work developed by CREA-UP’s participants over months of co-creation, highlighting the incredible potential of upcycling and creative reuse.
Back at the museum, a warm welcome coffee opened the doors for informal networking, sharing and reconnecting. It set the tone for an afternoon that combined professional insight with genuine community spirit.
The programme officially kicked off with “CREA-UP Journey,” presented by Tânia Santos and Inês Flórido from CRU Creative Hub. They retraced the milestones of the project: from the immersive 10-day Working Lab in Berlin, to local workshops and mentoring sessions, the two-month co-creation phase and the final exhibition in Porto. Participants from the CREA-UP programme also shared personal testimonies, offering heartfelt perspectives on how the project influenced their practices, collaborations and ways of thinking.
The first panel, “Creativity, Upcycling and the Green Transition,” brought together Helena Antónia (Vintage for a Cause), João Pinto (Projeto EZ) and Sara Machado (Europa Criativa). Their conversation explored how sustainability is being woven into creative processes, how art can drive social change without becoming merely instrumental, and how European cultural policy is increasingly embedding ecological criteria.
In the next session, “From Local to Global: How to Nurture Creative Communities of Circularity,” Irena Übler (PRIMA Matters), Regina Pinheiro and Pedro Cerveira from Porto City Council discussed the importance of local structures in fostering circular practices. They shared insights on conscious commerce, the creation of ecosystems of sharing and reuse, and how municipal strategies can empower small businesses and creators to innovate sustainably.
One of the conference’s most meaningful moments was the presentation of Porto’s Climate Pact by Vice-President Filipe Araújo. This moment marked the formal accession of CRU Creative Hub and Associação Quarteirão Criativo to the Pact — a concrete commitment to carbon neutrality and regenerative practices. It was also an open invitation to the entire creative community to join this collective effort, reinforcing the message that climate action needs the engagement of all sectors, including culture.
The day closed with a cocktail and social gathering, where participants, speakers and guests celebrated the journeys made together, the friendships formed and the ideas sparked along the way.
This conference wasn’t just a formal conclusion of CREA-UP in Portugal. It was a vivid reminder of what’s possible when creativity, collaboration and ecological consciousness come together. It affirmed the power of upcycling and sustainable design not only to transform materials but to transform mindsets, economies and communities.
As the project formally closes, the resources it leaves behind – from the Sustainability Guides to the digital publication documenting all the artists, processes and works – ensure that its impact will continue to ripple out, inspiring more conscious, beautiful and connected futures.
Read more about CREA-UP!
