City Hall launches Rio Creative City Program to boost solidarity entrepreneurship in communities

The Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Special Secretariat for Solidarity Economy (SES-Rio), launched the Rio Creative City Program on Thursday (September 11th) at the Palácio da Cidade, in the South Zone. The program aims to strengthen solidarity entrepreneurship and the creative economy in the city. The initiative aims to train residents of vulnerable communities, fostering the development of skills and abilities for opening community businesses.

"What we have here with Creative City is a blend of public safety and the realization that exercising citizenship presupposes offering opportunities to these people. It's a clear understanding that labor relations are different from what they were in the past, because people are increasingly starting their own businesses. So, how do we empower these people so they can become small and microentrepreneurs and generate economic activity? It's an initiative that encompasses this fantastic environment in Rio de Janeiro's most vulnerable areas, communities and favelas. We need to explore this economic potential," stated Mayor Eduardo Paes.

The program recognizes the creative and productive potential of communities and seeks to consolidate solidarity entrepreneurship as a tool for socioeconomic inclusion, income generation, and strengthening local productive dynamics. Through Rio Cidade Criativa, residents will have access to training courses in areas such as handmade soap, amigurumi, crochet, macramé, and handmade candles, encouraging the creation of value-added products and fostering sustainable development in the communities.

"We've already created solidarity agents, the Maturidade program, a crafts project for seniors, and now Rio Cidade Criativa, which will also offer crafts for all ages. There will be 15 centers spread throughout the city—West Zone, North Zone, and South Zone—that will provide opportunities for people to learn and become entrepreneurs. These techniques will then enable them to create their own businesses, motivating and cultivating our city's creative economy," said Secretary Marcio Santos.

The project will also act as a catalyst to overcome significant barriers faced by entrepreneurs in peripheral areas, offering structured conditions for solidarity businesses to develop and consolidate, with technical support and access to credit. In addition to training, the program encourages the formation of collaborative networks, cooperatives, and the appreciation of local talent, fostering a creative economy that strengthens community commerce and generates income opportunities.

Aimed at all ages, starting at 16, Creative City will operate in 15 areas of the municipality: Padre Miguel I and II, Tijuquinha, Rio das Pedras, Andaraí, Vila Moretti, Bangu, Inhoaíba, Realengo, Santa Cruz, Cesarão, Magalhães Bastos, Anchieta, Ricardo de Albuquerque, and Maré. The courses last three months, and by the end of two years, 3.600 people will have graduated, trained to become entrepreneurs and generate income.

Crafts instructor Marly Soares Oliveira Cunha will teach classes at the Anchieta center and reveals that learning a skill has opened up new paths for her.

"In the project, I'll be teaching crafts. That's what generated income for me to pay for my college tuition," the instructor emphasized.

Category:

• Solidarity economy
• News

September 12th, 2025

Appointments: artists Solidarity economy solidarity entrepreneurship City Hall of Rio Rio Creative City Program