"In the previous cycle [2018-2021], the allocation was 69 million euros and this time it will become 148 million euros, it is more than double what existed funding," said the minister at a press conference in Lisbon.

The announcement is made weeks before the presentation of the State Budget proposal for 2023 and in response to a demand in the sector for increased funds for the support programs of the Directorate General of Arts. According to Pedro Adão e Silva, the entities to be supported will receive the amount requested and not only a percentage.

According to the minister, 361 eligible applications were considered in the 2023-2026 four-year contests and the results will be announced between the end of October and the beginning of November, so that cultural entities can have their support contracted in January 2023.

"We will have more entities supported than in the previous cycle and each of the supported entities will receive more than they were receiving," he said.

According to Pedro Adão e Silva, this increase stems from the commitment to increase the budget for Culture during the current legislature.

The objective of this increase of funds of the four-year programme is to "give stability and predictability and conditions for the agents", in a post-covid context.