Partnership between City Hall, Rotary Club and Sebrae-RJ trains 270 entrepreneurs

There are many stories of lives transformed by entrepreneurship: in this case, 270. This is the number of women who received their certificate of completion this Tuesday (August 19) for the "Entrepreneurship to Grow and Succeed as a Family" course, sponsored by the Rotary Club, with support from Sebrae-RJ and the Municipal Department of Social Assistance (SMAS). The graduation ceremony was held at Sebrae-RJ's headquarters in downtown Rio. The students are all low-income, registered with the Unified Registry (CadÚnico), and served by the Rio City Hall's social assistance network. Of the group of graduates, 8 are hearing impaired.

"The main purpose of our work is to welcome those in need and provide opportunities for them to gain independence and generate income for themselves and their families. All the women who have become entrepreneurs through this initiative deserve our recognition. Their achievements will make a difference in each of their lives, and that makes us very proud of this partnership," stated Martha Rocha, Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance.

The new entrepreneurs learned how to market their businesses, price products, deal with customers, and boost their finances. They are artisans, jewelry designers, seamstresses, and salespeople who emerge better equipped to increase their family income.

"The course was really good for me. I've always made doll clothes and have a passion for crafts. I hold exhibitions and sell class packages for those who want to learn how to make clothes from recycled materials. I've made dresses from potato sacks, nonwoven fabric, and the bottoms of beer cans," said Izanete Bernardo da Silva, 67, one of the graduates.

The first group of 170 women completed the training in November 2024 and has been putting the content they learned into practice ever since. The other 100 completed the program this August. After graduating, all continue in the program and receive ongoing training for two years through SMAS. In addition to exhibiting their products at the Community Entrepreneur Fair, held on Mondays at the Rio City Hall administrative headquarters in Cidade Nova, they participate in partner fairs, where they expand their contacts and reach more customers.

"It gives me great pleasure to participate in this ceremony. This is a moment of change, and it will never be forgotten, because it will definitively shape the future of all of you," said Luciano Ozório Rosa, president of the Rotary Club, in his address to the graduates.

The training began in March of last year. The content included concepts of financial management and digital marketing. The classes, taught by Sebrae-RJ consultants, took place in groups of 25 women each, twice a week for three months, in areas of the 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th CAS (Social Assistance Coordination Office), in the following neighborhoods: Rocha Miranda (North Zone), Pavuna, Realengo, and Campo Grande (West Zone). In each class, the students received materials, snacks, and transportation assistance (bus and train tickets). They were selected by SMAS and met the following prerequisites: living in Rio, being registered with CadÚnico, being over 18, and being an entrepreneur or interested in becoming one.

"I hope the 270 women who became entrepreneurs achieve professional and business success, earning money, developing their businesses, and experiencing personal growth. They can always count on the support of Sebrae; this is the home of micro and small business owners," said Antônio Alvarenga, managing director of Sebrae-RJ.

Category:

• Social assistance
• News

August 19th, 2025

Appointments: Single Registration course entrepreneurship the partnership City Hall of Rio