Lisbon Design Week (LDW) returns in 2026 for its 4th edition, taking place from May 27th to 31st, reaffirming itself as one of the important events on the city’s cultural calendar.
This year, a partnership protocol between From My City (FMC), organiser of Lisbon Design Week, and MUDE – Museum of Design, reinforces the spirit of collaboration between the two entities. As MUDE is a national and international reference in the preservation, research and dissemination of design, and a pillar in the appreciation of the cultural heritage of Lisbon and the country, this collaboration represents a significant milestone in LDW’s mission to bring design closer to the city and its creative communities, and reinforces it as a platform dedicated to the promotion of contemporary design in Portugal.
One of the main focuses of the protocol is the Young Design Generation (YDG) initiative, a call from LDW dedicated to supporting the new generation of designers in Portugal. In 2026, the agreement includes two new developments: the incorporation, into the MUDE Collection, of a piece submitted to the open call chosen by the jury, as well as the granting of a mentorship program to one of the participating designers. YDG now also has the support of Novobanco – sponsor of Lisbon Design Week since its inception – which joins this partnership between LDW and MUDE, reinforcing its commitment to encouraging the new generation of creators and entrepreneurs.
Open to participants under 35 years of age, this open call celebrates the creativity, experimentation, and diversity of young Portuguese designers or those living in Portugal, giving visibility to projects that reflect the transformations of contemporary design as a cultural, social, and ecological practice. At the same time, the initiative promotes dialogue, critical thinking, and new disciplinary approaches, establishing itself over the past editions as an essential meeting point for discussing the future of design in Portugal.
Key Dates for the Young Design Generation Open Call Calendar
• YDG Announcement at MUDE during LDW After Hours: December 12, 2025
• Open Call Launch: January 1, 2026
• Submission Deadline: February 28, 2026
• Shortlist Announcement: March 9, 2026
• Shortlist Submission Deadline: March 20, 2026
• Announcement of the 20 Selected Pieces: April 10, 2026
• Exhibition Opening: May 27, 2026 – 1st day of Lisbon Design Week 2026
About Lisbon Design Week
Lisbon Design Week is an annual event that takes place in the last week of May, coinciding with ARCO Lisboa. The event highlights creators and energises galleries, studios, workshops, and institutions throughout the city of Lisbon, celebrating the creativity, innovation, and material culture that define contemporary Portuguese design. It also establishes itself as an accessible and cross-cutting platform that works throughout the year to promote the design sector and its interaction with architecture, crafts, and visual arts, with a special focus on objects produced in Portugal or created with Portuguese materials.
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Published on 2025.12.15
