The Santa Cecilia Competition in 2021 marked the inaugural event sponsored by FAM in the field of Awards and Prizes, for impact investments, specifically recognizing scientific merit organizations, sports competitions, and musical events.
The Santa Cecilia International Competition holds a prominent position in Portugal's artistic landscape and is organized by the Música Silva Monteiro course. It is an internationally renowned competition affiliated with the World Federation of International Music Competitions, taking place annually at Porto's Casa da Música. With its inception in 1968 as a school competition, it has evolved over the past 50 years to become a highly esteemed and influential event in the country.
The World Federation of International Music Competitions was established in 1957 as a global network comprising internationally renowned organizations dedicated to identifying the most promising young musical talents. In addition to fostering dialogue and collaboration among its members, the WFIMC sets guidelines for artistic excellence, integrity, and fairness, thereby establishing a universally recognized standard. Currently, the federation consists of over 110 international music competitions and other institutions that support young musicians in their pursuit of an international career. The WFIMC is a member of the UNESCO International Council of Music in Paris and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It receives support from the Department of Social Cohesion of the Canton of Geneva.