The Alstom Foundation has granted funding to InstitutoReciclar to support a project aimed at promoting the economic inclusion of 330 young people aged 15 to 19 from the Jaguaré community in São Paulo. This partnership, set to run for 16 months, coincides with InstitutoReciclar’s 30th anniversary in 2025, celebrating three decades of work focused on the productive inclusion of youth in vulnerable situations.
Thanks to Alstom Foundation’s support, InstitutoReciclar will expand its educational program significantly in 2025, bringing in 180 new participants, doubling the 90 young people involved in 2024. The total number of beneficiaries across the program’s three modules will rise from 220 to 330, marking a significant step in addressing social inequality and creating opportunities for at-risk youth.
Ana Caiasso, Alstom’s Director of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Latin America, expressed, “Alstom Foundation seeks strategic partnerships that create long-term social impact. This collaboration with InstitutoReciclar reflects our dedication to investing in local communities, empowering youth, and supporting São Paulo’s economic and social growth.”
The program offers a comprehensive approach to personal and professional development. Participants gain technical and socio-emotional skills through in-person workshops focused on design thinking, life planning, and subjects like mathematics, Portuguese, and English. The socio-emotional curriculum fosters creativity, teamwork, communication, and proactivity.
The second phase emphasizes professional development, with technical training in partnership with leading schools and access to an online platform that enhances cognitive skills and English proficiency. Additionally, the program connects participants with job and internship opportunities at partner companies, helping them build a sustainable career.
Carlos Henrique de Lima, Executive Director of InstitutoReciclar, remarked, “In our 30th year, we are proud to partner with Alstom Foundation to transform the lives of young people. This collaboration aligns with our growth in serving more youth, offering enhanced opportunities for their integration into the workforce.”
This initiative aims to broaden educational and employability opportunities for young Brazilians. According to a 2023 report from the Ministry of Labor’s Undersecretariat for Statistics and Studies, 7.1 million young people aged 14 to 24 were neither in school nor employed, with women and Black or brown youth disproportionately affected. Education and professional training initiatives like this are vital in offering these young individuals a pathway to development and a more inclusive future.
