START-UP SPIRIT IN RIO

The favela of Vidigal in the southwest of Rio de Janeiro has long faced challenges caused by poor infrastructure and gang violence. But there is a healthy stream of creativity and entrepreneurialism among its 40,000 residents, many of them under the age of 24. A local nonprofit called Favela Inc aims to channel and support these creative talents in a range of long-term economic impact programs, all run from a well-equipped co-working space that provides training for community leaders, access to tech equipment, and English lessons.

Since AKP’s first donation of $10,000 back in 2019, our partnership has helped facilitate an entrepreneur incubator program called Vidigal Entrepreneurs. In 2019, five local entrepreneurs set up businesses designed to enhance the lives of people in the community.

One of the businesses offered free capoeira classes to children, promoting Afro-Brazilian culture and providing an important extracurricular activity to keep children out of trouble. Another business created an eco park, and one employed local young adults to provide tours of the area. These tours are now so popular that the guides’ income has quadrupled since launch, and more than 400 visitors a year get a rare insight into the neighborhood.

Yet another business is BatucaVidi, founded by local female percussionist Isis Maia to teach music and performance to local school children using instruments made from recycled materials and trash cans. As well as creating a reliable income and profile for these young performing artists, this business has also enabled 60 students to participate in classes focused on percussion, singing, theater and personal and academic development.

“Art gives a direction”, says Batucavidi founder Isis Maia.
“I don't want my students to become musicians, but citizens. And I hope they understand that there are a thousand doors that can be opened. One of the goals of the project is to connect them with people from different areas.”

AKP has provided $100,000 in donated funds to help with the operational expenses of the entrepreneurial program and the purchase of a location for the percussion program, helping to ensure these valuable creative ventures continue to thrive.