Sara Machado (1984) is a cultural manager with a particular interest in International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy. She holds a degree on Information Science, at Universidade do Porto and completed her master’s degree in Cultural Management at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. From then onwards, she built a solid career path in different organizations and countries: the Festival Escena Contemporanea and Ministry of Culture [ES]; the European Cultural Foundation [NL], Pearle* Live Performance Europe [BE], PERFORMING ARTS PORTUGAL and EIRA/ CUMPLICIDADES – Lisbon International Contemporary Dance Festival [PT]. She has been awarded with several fellowships, namely: ISPA – International Society for the Performing Arts [USA], Tandem Shaml [DE], ASEF – Asia Europe Foundation “Mobility First” [SG] and the Producers Academy [BE].

Currently, she is responsible for the CULTURE subprogramme responsible at Creative Europe Desk PT, representing the exclusive EU programme for the cultural and creative sectors support. Academy wise, Sara Machado is about to completing her second master´s degree in Political Science and International Relations at FCSH/NOVA.