Lisbon's Rádio Quântica has set up a fundraiser to stay operating

Lisbon’s Rádio Quântica has asked fans for donations to keep the community radio station up and running.

The non-profit independent station first opened in 2015 yet this week announced a for support from fans.

Rádio Quântica’s statement reads that it does not have a “business model by nature” and therefore “don't have a way to make money”.

Read this next: Lisbon's electronic music scene is stronger than ever

All proceeds donated are said to go towards new equipment and the salaries of staff and on January 27, the station told Mixmag that it will be hosting a fundraiser party at Planeta Manas with a community-oriented line-up in which everyone involved from DJs to staff will be there on a volunteering basis.

The Instagram post explains: "That's why we launched this fundraiser, as we start 2023 with very little options, as money is running as low as it gets and all of our equipment needs to either be serviced or replaced for industry standard models that community stations around the world have – like the CDJs2000, proper decks, and a mixer that works, for example.

“Furthermore, we need financial support to the pay salaries of our studio managers and assistants, given that curation and scheduling has always happened on a volunteer basis.”

A spokesperson from Rádio Quântica told Mixmag: "Our station has existed for over 7 years and as a non-profit it was always a challenge to keep running. Due to an unexpected huge social security bill from a past worker and the fact that public funding for 2023 will only come mid-year - if we are awarded it, we’re seeing ourselves in a place where we only have enough funds to pay studio assistants’ salaries, website server and broadcast license for one more month. To make matters worse, our equipment really needs servicing (and some of it replacement).

They conclude: "All we want to do is keep going live, showcase Lisbon artists and beyond, so this crowdfunding is key for our survival."

Read this next: Listen to a rave-inspired mix by ELLES

On the GoFundMe page, the station describes itself as a place of “movement, bringing together DJs, labels, musicians, collectors, cultural agitators and activists from all backgrounds, sociocultural contexts, identities and origins, both from Portugal and other countries.”

In 2019, Rádio Quântica began its two-day festival Ano 0 - which translates as Year 0 - that focuses its line-up on avant-garde artists and collectives involved in creating spaces for underrepresented identities.

Donate to Rádio Quântica here and keep an eye out for their fundraising event taking place later this month.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter