Mastercard partners with the Teatro Real to encourage donations to cultural and environmental causes

Uno a Uno will support four cultural and environmental causes by enabling cardholders to donate at six contactless payment terminals using their bank card or mobile device at Teatro Real

Mastercard will then match every donation made through the terminals euro for euro over the next year.

Madrid, 11^th November 2021 – Mastercard and the Teatro Real today announced the launch of a unique donation project in Spain. The "Uno a uno" (“One for One”) initiative encourages donations to four cultural and environmental causes with a commitment from Mastercard to match any donation that is made through six payment terminals installed within the Teatro Real.

The terminals have been created and configured to enable private donations and accept contactless payments made via bank card or mobile device. With donations starting at €1, consumers have the option to donate as little or as much as they wish, and benefit from the corresponding tax relief. The terminals will debut on the evening of 13^th November, coinciding with the Teatro Real premiere of the opera "Parténope".

Mastercard’s involvement in the initiative represents an ongoing commitment from the company to support the development of new creative concepts that can be applied to a wide variety of future projects within the European culture scene.

The announcement, made today at a press conference at the Teatro Real, was attended by the General Director of the Institution, Ignacio García-Belenguer; the Country Manager at Mastercard Spain, Paloma Real; the Deputy Director of the Teatro Real and Director of Sponsorship Borja Ezcurra; the Artistic Director of the institution, Joan Matabosch, the General Director of the Friends of the Teatro Real Foundation, Macarena de Figuera and two representatives of the Crescendo program, the actor and Stage Director Victor Manuel Dogar and one of the participant sopranos, Vanessa Cera.

Paloma Real, Country Manager at Mastercard Spain, said: "The relationship between Mastercard and the Teatro Real is one of heritage, as we have previously collaborated to offer unique experiences to Mastercard cardholders through our Priceless platform. Now, we are joining forces again to launch this technological and cultural initiative through which anyone who visits the Teatro Real can donate to four relevant causes that will help to promote culture, create a more inclusive society and help reforest the planet, all through the power of contactless.”

The following four causes have been chosen for the initiative:

Inclusive Musical Group

Born in 2020, the Teatro Real’s Inclusive Music Group is a national and international initiative showcasing how neurodiverse individuals can thrive in groups of artistic and musical excellence. It represents the positive impact that can be achieved with a truly inclusive model in society. Research, development and innovation are all key pillars of this unique, inclusive project.

Young Talent Programme

As part of its commitment to young people as the fundamental foundation of a sustainable future for lyric poetry, the Teatro Real has collaborated with the Amigos de Real Foundation to create a joint project that encourages the development of next-generation talent. The initiative aims to avoid the loss of young talent by offering them professional experiences and encouraging them to set future goals. This acts as a commitment to both the art and the artist.

Accessible Teatro Real

Over the last few years, the Teatro Real has developed its commitment to improve inclusion in music and culture with a series of different initiatives aimed at mixed ability and vulnerable groups. Since 2015, its accessible mobile application has allowed users to download the subtitles of the work being performed and follow them synchronously with the performance. This initiative is supported by the Royal Board on Disability.

Priceless Planet Coalition

Priceless Planet Coalition is a global platform launched by Mastercard in 2020 with the aim of uniting the sustainability efforts of its worldwide network of customers, consumers and partners to preserve the environment. Together with this group of companies and individuals, Priceless Planet Coalition has committed to plant 100 million trees in 5 years.

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