Conceived as a laboratory of ideas and experiences, LUSO LAB is the new project of the Young Diaspora of the Portuguese Diaspora Council in podcast format, where the successes of Portuguese individuals abroad are analyzed, and ways to bring these achievements back to Portugal are explored.

LUSO LAB aims to highlight Portuguese talent beyond borders, promote intergenerational dialogue, inspire new generations, and simultaneously showcase the best of what Portugal has to offer, which can be exported to the world. This project seeks to inspire and educate Generations Y and Z by demonstrating that Portuguese success abroad can also drive progress in Portugal. It promotes the visibility of the Diaspora Youth as a connection between Portuguese talents, establishes a space for dialogue between experienced leaders and young professionals at the start of their careers, and bridges different generations through accessible conversations. It explores relevant and diverse topics such as innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and leadership, with contributions from experts. Each episode features informal conversations with prominent figures in fields such as health, innovation, sustainability, education, leadership, and geopolitics.

The inaugural episode, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, features José Manuel Durão Barroso, Chairman of the General Meeting of the Portuguese Diaspora Council and CEO of GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance). José Manuel Durão Barroso shares insights on Portuguese talent and discusses Portugal’s role in global politics, the impact of the European Union on national economies, and how young people can engage with geopolitical and financial issues.

Seven interviews are planned, conducted by Young Counsellors of the Young Diaspora, representing the new wave of highly skilled Portuguese emigrants. Among them are aerospace engineers, scientists, researchers, and managers working across different continents, symbolizing the excellence and diversity of Portuguese talent. The team of Young Advisors leading the LUSO LAB project includes Maria Monteiro, Sara Aguiar (Procter & Gamble, Switzerland), and Francisco Carneiro (Agicap, France).

The episodes of the first season will air between late January and April 2025 and will be available on the Portuguese Diaspora Council’s streaming platforms.