*This article is written by Estela Damato, founder of Damato Impact Negotiations
Systemic and emerging challenges of our time demand collaborative solutions to build a more sustainable future. Companies are increasingly taking on their role in this cycle and often wish to contribute with positive impact actions, but they don’t know how or where to start.
During a coffee meeting with the owner of a technology company located in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, he presented me with an idea for a productive inclusion program to positively impact the Rocinha favela.
Aware of Brazil’s profound socioeconomic problems, this entrepreneur wished to generate more results while contributing to the transformation of the youth in one of the largest peripheral communities in the country.
The idea came to him when he witnessed firsthand the transformation in the life of a young person from Rocinha, who, after undergoing a training process within his company, became part of the team.
With the aim of preparing a qualified workforce for the IT market, one of the fastest-growing areas offering opportunities in Brazil, he had an insight: why not expand this training initiative to a larger number of young people from the periphery?
During our conversation, I could notice that this was an entrepreneur aware of managing impact projects, and after our coffee, I identified potential actors for a connection. Based on the needs of the stakeholders, I drafted a proposal and…
A productive and technological inclusion program arises in the Rocinha Favela
The company is MecaFix, and its potential partner, Impact Hub Rio de Janeiro, is responsible for managing the program, initially launched as a pilot with the aim of impacting the lives of 15 young people.
Combining Impact Hub’s expertise in entrepreneurial educational programs with MecaFix’s practical experience in the market, the project aims to provide technical skills, practical knowledge, and promote the personal and professional development of the participants. In addition to encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset, the program seeks to facilitate these young people’s entry into the workforce so they can achieve fairer wages.
The project will focus on three areas of impact:
- Professional Development: preparing the youth with technical skills and practical knowledge;
- Economic Empowerment: training the youth so they can access jobs in the maintenance sector and stimulating entrepreneurship;
- Community Development: promoting the economic and social development of the Rocinha community by empowering its youth to become agents of positive change.
The Economic Potential of Brazil’s Favelas
According to the Data Favela 2023 survey, more than 13,000 communities were mapped in the country, and the income generated by their residents broke the R$200 billion mark in 2022. The estimate is that there are 5.8 million households and 17.9 million residents. Of this total, 5.2 million are already entrepreneurs, 6 million dream of having their own business, and seven out of ten intend to start it within the favela itself.
Although these are geographical concentrations of social inequalities, it is important to recognize the economic role these communities play. Especially when data like this highlight the potential of these communities, where there are opportunities to collaborate on raising income, generating employment at scale, and contributing to the reduction of inequalities.
Market needs create opportunities to generate value
This case illustrates the entire methodological cycle of Damato Impact Negotiations. Starting from identifying the needs of the leadership of the company in question, I developed solutions and established connections with strategic implementing partners, identified funding opportunities for the impact project, and contributed to building a relationship that should benefit the entire socio-economic ecosystem.
The problems we are trying to solve, globally, are becoming increasingly significant, and we are not progressing quickly enough. To create a collaborative environment where ideas can germinate and turn into concrete actions, a meeting of connection and co-creation of potential solutions is necessary.
In a simple coffee meeting with those who have the desire to make a difference, new proposals can emerge to change the course of this narrative and create a fairer and more prosperous future for future generations.
Shall we talk? Contact Damato Impact Negotiations at: [email protected]
