This intervention seeks to expand opportunities for socially vulnerable young people, especially in the educational and employment spheres, in addition to stimulating social and emotional skills and strengthening community ties. In total, it covers 340 hours of workshops and practices distributed over four months. It includes training workshops with emphasis on various skills, such as civil construction and electrical installation in buildings.
The intervention is inspired by the YouthBuild program, implemented in the United States since 1978. It was launched in Brazil in 2009 through a partnership between YouthBuild International and a Brazilian non-governmental organization called Centro de Promoção da Saúde (CEDAPS, Health Promotion Center). Since its arrival in the country, 16 editions were held in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with the participation of 426 young people. CEDAPS is responsible for coordinating, planning, and executing the program, as well as training community organizations so that the methodology can be replicated in the future.
The program targets young people between 16 and 24 years of age in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability who tend to belong to low-income families, immigrants, former offenders of the criminal justice system, children of incarcerated parents, and people with disabilities.