Organizing the event turned out to be cheaper than initially expected.
The organization of World Youth Day, which took place in Lisbon from August 1 to 6, 2023, cost the city hall of the Portuguese capital less than initially expected, the city authorities estimated. According to data from the authorities, they managed to save as much as 1 million euros on Lisbon’s planned WYD budget by organizing this largest meeting of young Catholics with the Pope.
Big savings
According to estimates by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, the city spent a total of 33.9 million euros on organizing the event in August. The Portuguese politician explained that the savings were achieved, among other things, on smaller expenses for the altar placed in the city center, in Marquis de Pombala Square, where the inauguration of the WYD took place on August 1.
In October, the Portuguese government also announced that it had spent less – a total of 18.2 million euros – on the organization of World Youth Day in Lisbon. As explained by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendes, this amount is proof that the government has managed to reduce the planned expenditure from the WYD budget to the level of 20 million euros. She explained that the costs were, among other things, related to providing World Youth Day participants with transportation and medical support.
The minister of the socialist government then explained that several ministries, including: justice, health, home affairs, administration, infrastructure, as well as environmental protection and the economy.
This year’s edition of WYD was held thanks to joint funding by the Church, the Portuguese government and local authorities. The total amount of costs for the organization of this event, which was attended by approximately 1 million people, is still unknown.
The next 41st World Youth Day will take place in 2027 in South Korea’s capital, Seoul.
Source: Do Rzeczy
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
