Fundação Santander Portugal · Portugal · 2026
Horizontes da Educação 2050
A collective vision for the future of education in Portugal.
3.000
people involved
250
institutions
79
forces of change
4
scenarios for 2050
The case on video
#01
A collective vision
The future of education cannot be built by a single institution. This project set out to bring researchers, educators, students, organisations and citizens together around a shared vision for education in Portugal up to 2050. Beyond anticipating trends, the goal was to create a space for collective imagination capable of guiding today's decisions.
#02
Collective intelligence to understand the transformations
The project began with a broad process of research, interviews and futures scanning, bringing together experts and actors from across society to identify the forces capable of transforming education in the coming decades. This knowledge was organised into a strategic radar of 79 forces of change, structured into 10 strategic constellations, revealing the dynamics shaping the possible futures of education.
#03
Four scenarios to widen the field of the possible
The collective intelligence mobilised throughout the research gave rise to four future scenarios. Each represents a distinct possibility for education in 2050, exploring different ways of learning, teaching, organising schools and integrating technology into society. More than predictions, the scenarios were designed as tools to activate imagination, broaden repertoires and provoke reflection.
The Great Slowdown
Education is reconfigured as an analogue sanctuary, a "fortress school" protecting academic integrity and public health against accelerating technological disruption.
Reactive Resilience
The system operates in a permanent state of survival, adapting to recurring climate and energy crises that force intermittent hybrid teaching.
Digital Ecosystem
Education evolves into a decentralised, "AI-native" network where learning is hyper-personalised, modular and takes place outside conventional institutions.
The Orchestrating State
The State orchestrates standards and equity, while schools act as community hubs for real, place-based projects.
#04
When scenarios become experience
The scenarios came to life at the Horizontes da Educação event. Installations, narratives, interactive content and spaces for dialogue allowed thousands of people to walk through different possible futures, explore their impacts and reflect on the paths they want to build for education in Portugal. Design turned futures into shared experiences.
#05
From participation to commitment
Throughout the project, researchers, teachers, students, organisations and citizens contributed ideas, reflections and perspectives on the future of education. This collective intelligence gave rise to the Charter for the Future of Education, a document bringing together principles, commitments and aspirations, signed by many voices to guide the decisions of the coming decades.
Person-Centred Learning
The Teacher as a Strategic Role for the Future
Living Curriculum and Future Skills
Well-being, Inclusion and Holistic Development
Open School, Plural Community and the Learning Territory
Sustainability, Resilience and Climate Literacy
A New Social Contract for Education
Lifelong Learning
Authentic Assessment
Demography, Multiculturalism and Equity
An outcome that became known as Portugal's new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Education.
#06
A legacy for Portugal
More than a futures study, the project left a permanent platform to support new conversations about education. The strategic radar, scenarios, experiences and Charter remain as tools to stimulate reflection, collaboration and decision-making. Because the future of education in Portugal will be built by the choices we make, together, starting today.
