Sustainability at F/262
Art, responsibility, and the future.
At F/262, we believe that creating art also means shaping the future.
We are fully committed to environmental, social, and cultural sustainability, integrating responsible practices across all aspects of festival production, programming, and communication.
Our goal is to become a model of a green festival — inspiring artists, institutions, and audiences to think more consciously and act more sustainably.
F/262 is an official signatory of the Pact for the Circular Economy in the Centro Region, coordinated by the CCDR Centro, through the action F/262 Circular Culture Lab.
This institutional commitment reinforces the festival’s long-term engagement with sustainable cultural practices, education, and community involvement across the region. Between 2026 and 2027, the Circular Culture Lab supports concrete actions focused on responsible production, reuse of resources, environmental awareness, and public engagement, positioning culture and photography as active tools in the transition toward a more circular and sustainable territory.
Pacto para a Economia Circular no Centro (3.ª edição) – F/262 Circular Culture Lab
Photography Festival Sustainability Handbook
To translate values into structured action, F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity developed the Photography Festival Sustainability Handbook — a practical, open framework designed specifically for photography festivals.
The handbook was created as a transferable tool to support festivals in building more sustainable, responsible, and transparent practices across governance, operations, and public engagement.
F/262 serves as the handbook’s primary implementation platform, applying and testing its principles within the context of an international photography festival.
What the handbook covers
- Governance, vision, and sustainability strategy
- Carbon and footprint management
- Travel, venues, materials, food, and waste
- Artist, supplier, and visitor guidelines
- Practical templates, checklists, and implementation tools
“F/262 supports the Sustainable Development Goals.”
♻️ Commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
- F/262 is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Our programming, partnerships and social mission contribute meaningfully to the following goals: - SDG 4 – Quality Education
We provide learning opportunities through workshops, masterclasses, artist talks, the Photobook Club and the Analog Lab, working closely with schools, universities and emerging creatives. - SDG 5 – Gender Equality
We promote balanced representation across invited artists, curatorial teams, speakers and community programs. - SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
Our 2026 theme, Shaping Shores, highlights the importance of water, ecosystems and environmental resilience, with exhibitions and talks focused on aquatic and coastal sustainability. - SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
We support the local creative economy by commissioning artists, collaborating with local suppliers, and strengthening cultural and economic activity in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos. - SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Through F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity, we promote social inclusion, accessibility and community engagement, giving visibility to underrepresented voices. - SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
We activate cultural spaces across both cities, foster community participation and encourage sustainable cultural tourism. - SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
We implement sustainable production practices, reduce waste, opt for local printing and materials, and encourage circular approaches across all festival operations. - SDG 13 – Climate Action
We work to minimise and monitor our carbon footprint by prioritising regional partnerships, responsible mobility and environmentally conscious exhibition practices. - SDG 14 – Life Below Water
Our coastal focus and environmental programming support awareness of marine conservation, the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable use of water resources. - SDG 15 – Life on Land
Through photographic narratives on conservation, biodiversity and environmental protection, we raise awareness of the impact of human activity on natural habitats. - SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
We build strong collaborations with cultural institutions, municipalities, NGOs, environmental organisations, universities and international networks that share our values and mission. - These commitments follow the official guidelines of the United Nations and the Portuguese SDG Platform (ODS.pt).
Institutional Commitments
and Circular Economy
🌱 Environmental Good Practices
F/262 follows the recommendations of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), of which we are a member, and implements an ongoing sustainability plan inspired by our own Photography Festival Sustainability Handbook.
Our environmental actions include:
Reuse and recycling of exhibition and scenographic materials.
Sustainable printing using certified papers and eco-friendly inks.
Energy reduction and encouragement of shared or low-impact transport.
Responsible waste management and emissions compensation.
Transparent annual reporting of environmental performance.
Shaping Shores
The first biennial edition of F/262 (2026) takes water as its guiding metaphor — a symbol of transformation, resilience, and interconnection.
This theme strengthens the link between art and ecology, inviting the public to reflect on how environment, identity, and culture flow together in the shaping of our collective future.
🤝 Social Sustainability and Accessibility
We believe that sustainability starts with people.
F/262 ensures that every activity is inclusive, accessible, and socially responsible, featuring:
Events interpreted in Portuguese Sign Language, open captions, and audio description.
Easy-to-read materials and accessible ticketing.
Educational programs for audiences with special needs.
The F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity grants, supporting artists and community-based initiatives.
A strong policy of equality and representation throughout the organization.
Transparency and Future Goals
Sustainability is not a destination — it’s a continuous process.
Each year, F/262 will publish a Sustainability Report with key environmental, social, and educational indicators, sharing our progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
Caring for the planet is caring for art. Caring for art is caring for people.
Get Involved
Sustainability is a collective effort.
We invite artists, volunteers, and local communities to join our environmental and educational initiatives — from exhibition recycling programs to coastal clean-up collaborations.
📩 If your organization shares our values, contact us at sustainability@festival262.com.
Produced by F/262 & Associação F/SOS
With the support of:
May 15 – September 25, 2026 Caldas da Rainha & Óbidos, Portugal · View map
About F/262
F/262 is an international photography festival rooted in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos, Portugal.
Through exhibitions, talks, education, and public installations, the festival engages contemporary photography with place, community, and the world we share.
©2026 F/262 – Festival Internacional de Fotografia
Produced by Associação F/SOS – Fotografia, Solidariedade e Obras Sociais