F/SOS - F/262 Festival Internacional de Fotografia Merch

F/SoS Stories of Solidarity

A social impact initiative of the F/262 Photography Festival.

Photography with purpose. Connection with impact.

F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity is the social impact platform of the F/262 International Photography Festival.
It’s where photography moves beyond aesthetics — where image-making becomes an act of care, awareness, and collaboration.

We believe a camera can be a bridge, not a barrier. That every image has the potential to listen, connect, and serve.
Our mission is to use visual storytelling to promote empathy, inclusion, and environmental awareness, connecting artists, NGOs, and communities through meaningful action.

What We Do

F/SOS supports and celebrates photography that engages with social, emotional, and community-based themes.
We create space for stories that matter — stories of resilience, identity, and change.

Our initiatives include:

Collaborations with local and international NGOs
Workshops and visual-storytelling programs for underserved communities
Exhibitions and campaigns on social justice, climate, migration, aging, and human–animal connection
The Stories of Solidarity Award, honoring photography as a tool for empathy and action
F/SOS Causes, a funding mechanism that channels part of the festival’s profits and partner contributions into social and environmental projects

F/SoS Causes

With every edition of the festival, F/SoS will support one or more associations or projects working in solidarity, environmental conservation, or social justice.

2026 focus: a project linked to water and the environment (e.g. conservation of coastal ecosystems, marine research, or communities affected by drought and pollution).
Future editions: rotating between social causes (human rights, inclusion, mental health) and environmental causes (reforestation, sustainability, climate action).

This transparent mechanism ensures that the festival not only shows stories of solidarity — it actively contributes to them.

A Difference Matters

Co-production F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity & CERCI Braga

“A Difference Matters” is an exhibition developed by CERCI Braga, photographed by João Carlos, and co-produced with F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity for Braga Capital da Cultura 2025. The project gives visibility to individuals whose stories are often overlooked, celebrating their dignity, presence and unique identities.

Presented at the Museu dos Biscainhos, the exhibition invites audiences to engage with the power of inclusion and to recognize the humanity and strength of each person portrayed.

Who We're Looking to Partner With

To launch the F/SoS initiative, we are identifying a small number of international and local NGOs that align with our values.

We’re actively seeking collaborations with NGOs, cultural institutions, and grassroots organizations working in:

Social inclusion
Education through the arts
Environmental or animal advocacy
Mental health and wellbeing

Let’s build something together — whether it’s an exhibition, a co-created campaign, or a community-based photo program.

Support the Mission

Photography can build empathy. But only if we give it the structure and space to do so.

Whether you’re an artist, organization, sponsor, or simply someone who believes in the power of image-making as a tool for change we invite you to be part of F/SoS.