Project Hub – Association Santa Marta – Community development initiative to support local entrepreneurship and business innovation amongst young people within the Santa Marta community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Building hope and aspiration in young people

Community development initiative to support local entrepreneurship and business innovation amongst young people within the favela communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Community development initiative to support local entrepreneurship and business innovation amongst young people within the favela communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Building hope and aspiration in young people

The challenges

Lack of social mobility
and inequality

With degraded housing, poverty, and social vulnerability, it is difficult for young people to perform well at school. The drop-out rate is high and the lack of a formal address can be an obstacle to getting a formal job.

Insecurity and
armed conflicts

The communities have problems related to weapons and violent confrontations between the drug gangs that dominate spaces in the favela.

Lack of
perspective

With the economic difficulties in the country, young people in communities have few options for formal work and lack motivation for a better future.

The concept and methodology formulated for Project Hub was based on findings from a scoping study in the Santa Marta favela that identified a clear need to build hope and aspirations among young people in favela communities for their futures.

Four action pillars

Co-working and Work Space

The workspace is located at the Hub’s headquarters, opposite the entrance to the Santa Marta community, and is equipped with laptops and internet. Anyone who needs it can book a day and time to use it.

Development Modules

These are group meetings, divided into five modules on entrepreneurship, where participants are provided with essential content to develop and boost their businesses strategically.

Individual Mentoring Programme

The individual mentoring programme is available online with a team of prepared, committed and knowledgeably diverse mentors.

Continuous and Holistic Support

Students and alumni receive psychological and holistic support. They are encouraged to continue their knowledge journeys through in-house workshops, external events, and ongoing consultations.

Find out more

Areas of action

Group support and individual mentoring for entrepreneurs
Social innovation and community development
Promotion of a network that can leverage the development of ideas and fundraising

Areas of action

Group support and individual mentoring for entrepreneurs
Social innovation and community development
Promotion of a network that can leverage the development of ideas and fundraising