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Brazil's social entrepreneurs are making the most of safer favela conditions Brazil's social entrepreneurs are making the most of safer favela conditions
(about 2 months later)
On a five-week journey exploring all five regions of Brazil, social enterprise specialist Richard Brownsdon investigates what opportunities are available for social entrepreneurs in the fifth largest country in the world.On a five-week journey exploring all five regions of Brazil, social enterprise specialist Richard Brownsdon investigates what opportunities are available for social entrepreneurs in the fifth largest country in the world.
Working in the favelas of Rio de JaneiroWorking in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro
In Brazil, one in five people live in a favela (a poor urban community). Some favelas still lack basic amenities and poverty and crime is rife, but many in Rio have been improved by the government's pacification process.In Brazil, one in five people live in a favela (a poor urban community). Some favelas still lack basic amenities and poverty and crime is rife, but many in Rio have been improved by the government's pacification process.
This process has seen the military enter the communities, forcibly and often violently removing criminal gangs and drug syndicates. While this heavy-handed approach has been criticised, it has also brought about safer communities and more opportunities for social entrepreneurs to work with the communities inside the favelas.This process has seen the military enter the communities, forcibly and often violently removing criminal gangs and drug syndicates. While this heavy-handed approach has been criticised, it has also brought about safer communities and more opportunities for social entrepreneurs to work with the communities inside the favelas.
Fight for PeaceFight for Peace
Fight for Peace has been working in the favelas since 2000, before the pacification process began. Founder Luke Dowdney has been helping young people in the Maré favela to realise their full potential for more than a decade. His boxing and martial arts academy has grown from helping 10 disadvantaged young people in its first year, to training and educating more than 2,500 every year.Fight for Peace has been working in the favelas since 2000, before the pacification process began. Founder Luke Dowdney has been helping young people in the Maré favela to realise their full potential for more than a decade. His boxing and martial arts academy has grown from helping 10 disadvantaged young people in its first year, to training and educating more than 2,500 every year.
Although it started with boxing, over time it has expanded to help children in other ways. Now it runs a range of classes, giving the young people an education and a sense of purpose.Although it started with boxing, over time it has expanded to help children in other ways. Now it runs a range of classes, giving the young people an education and a sense of purpose.
The brand became so strong in the favela that people started stealing Fight For Peace T-shirts from washing lines, because they want to be associated with it.The brand became so strong in the favela that people started stealing Fight For Peace T-shirts from washing lines, because they want to be associated with it.
Recognising the power of the brand, and looking for ways to continue funding the work of Fight For Peace, Dowdney and his team set up a sports clothing social enterprise called Luta.Recognising the power of the brand, and looking for ways to continue funding the work of Fight For Peace, Dowdney and his team set up a sports clothing social enterprise called Luta.
As Luta's "We give half" slogan suggests, 50% of all profits go directly back to helping Fight for Peace and the communities it works with.As Luta's "We give half" slogan suggests, 50% of all profits go directly back to helping Fight for Peace and the communities it works with.
"It's a serious professional training wear company," says Dowdney. "It's about saying to people, you can either buy Nike for £10, or Luta for £10, and half of that is going to go into keeping kids in projects like this.""It's a serious professional training wear company," says Dowdney. "It's about saying to people, you can either buy Nike for £10, or Luta for £10, and half of that is going to go into keeping kids in projects like this."
Start small, work hard, and never give upStart small, work hard, and never give up
It's not only Fight for Peace and Luta working in the favelas. Other social entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the fact that some of their communities have become safer places to work.It's not only Fight for Peace and Luta working in the favelas. Other social entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the fact that some of their communities have become safer places to work.
There have always been favela tours, but now a new breed has emerged, run by people who live in these communities. The tours are led by community members and showcase some of the best projects taking place.There have always been favela tours, but now a new breed has emerged, run by people who live in these communities. The tours are led by community members and showcase some of the best projects taking place.
Caroline Neutzling, founder of Soul Brasileiro, a social enterprise says: "Other favela tours have no integration with the local community, they just show the poverty. I wanted to do something different. There are over a thousand favelas and 20% of the population of Brazil lives in favelas. Each one has its own story, history and community."Caroline Neutzling, founder of Soul Brasileiro, a social enterprise says: "Other favela tours have no integration with the local community, they just show the poverty. I wanted to do something different. There are over a thousand favelas and 20% of the population of Brazil lives in favelas. Each one has its own story, history and community."
The northeast of BrazilThe northeast of Brazil
Leaving Rio, other areas of Brazil have their own problems and opportunities for social entrepreneurs. The north-east has huge rural areas, and many local people have no access to education and struggle with basic literacy.Leaving Rio, other areas of Brazil have their own problems and opportunities for social entrepreneurs. The north-east has huge rural areas, and many local people have no access to education and struggle with basic literacy.
Lagoa do Cassange is a business that has made an ongoing commitment to developing its local community. It is a beach resort with 14 bungalows on the Marau peninsula, five hours south from the regional capital of Salvador. It has had a 16-year relationship running social projects with and for the surrounding community. Many of the customers come from Brazil's growing middle class.Lagoa do Cassange is a business that has made an ongoing commitment to developing its local community. It is a beach resort with 14 bungalows on the Marau peninsula, five hours south from the regional capital of Salvador. It has had a 16-year relationship running social projects with and for the surrounding community. Many of the customers come from Brazil's growing middle class.
The owners realised that a long-term view to developing local skills and sustaining the environment was the clearest path to success. They began by providing free adult-education classes to the community, certifying 30 participants up to a high school education standard.The owners realised that a long-term view to developing local skills and sustaining the environment was the clearest path to success. They began by providing free adult-education classes to the community, certifying 30 participants up to a high school education standard.
Flavio Hauser, director of Lagao do Cassange, said: "In this part of Brazil, there was little access to education for the majority of local children, and few job prospects. As a result, they often grew up and left their communities to search for work in large cities. They end up in urban slums, still unemployed and uneducated, but without the support of their families and home communities. We wanted give them opportunities to work here."Flavio Hauser, director of Lagao do Cassange, said: "In this part of Brazil, there was little access to education for the majority of local children, and few job prospects. As a result, they often grew up and left their communities to search for work in large cities. They end up in urban slums, still unemployed and uneducated, but without the support of their families and home communities. We wanted give them opportunities to work here."
The educational programme run by Lagoa do Cassange has meant that local people can now find jobs within the growing local tourism industry. Its other projects include a large, free kindergarten school, adult computer classes, honey making and sustainability programs and, recently, local leadership development workshops.The educational programme run by Lagoa do Cassange has meant that local people can now find jobs within the growing local tourism industry. Its other projects include a large, free kindergarten school, adult computer classes, honey making and sustainability programs and, recently, local leadership development workshops.
Richard Brownsdon runs Inspiring Adventures. He is a writer, blogger and freelance social enterprise marketing and events specialist. Richard Brownsdon runs Inspiring Adventures. He is a writer, blogger and freelance social enterprise marketing and events specialist.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the Guardian Social Enterprise Network, click here.This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the Guardian Social Enterprise Network, click here.
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