Building on our successful educational model, we are proud to launch the Vidigal Entrepreneurship Hub, a new initiative designed to foster economic growth and innovation within the community.
This project connects local entrepreneurs and small business owners in Vidigal with a dedicated network of skilled volunteers. These volunteers bring expertise in key areas such as business management, social media, digital marketing, economics, and design.
Our approach is hands-on and personalized. Through one-on-one mentoring and specialized workshops, we provide the tailored support needed to refine business strategies, enhance online presence, and unlock sustainable growth.
In the spirit of our core belief—that "attention is the purest form of generosity"—this hub is more than just a service. It is a commitment to nurturing local dreams, strengthening the community's economic fabric, and transforming entrepreneurial vision into tangible reality.
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Vidigal Entrepreneurship Hub:
Empowering Local Businesses
is this program for you?
COMUNIDADE RIO FLOW
Do you have a passion for making a tangible difference and a desire to apply your knowledge to empower others? If so, this program is for you.
We believe that the most important qualifications are a genuine willingness to help and the commitment to share your expertise. We welcome volunteers who are currently pursuing or have completed degrees in relevant fields, but specific professional experience is not a mandatory requirement.
Your skills—whether in business, social media, economics, design, or other specialized areas—will be directed to support local entrepreneurs in Vidigal where they need it most. In return, you will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in community-driven development and become part of a meaningful cultural exchange.
Join us. This is an opportunity to transform your theoretical knowledge into practical impact and be part of a project that is actively building a stronger economic future for the Vidigal community.
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
This is truly a volunteering experience, as opposed to a work exchange, with plenty of time to explore the city and shift into vacation-mode. You will not be expected to do any class prep or admin work outside of class hours. We employ two long-term local teachers (including a now-fluent former student), who know all our students well, providing much needed continuity. In the classes you will not have more than three/four students. Our classes are 100% free to attend and are all in the city’s low-income favelas where paying for a class would not be an option.
At both houses in Vidigal the daily contribution is 75 BRL ($12.50) - the nightly price for an equivalent hostel in Vidigal. This covers rent, daily house-keeping, transport to and from classes, classroom materials and help funds the salaries of our permanent teaching staff.
a truly volunteer
This is truly a volunteering experience, as opposed to a work exchange, with plenty of time to explore the city and shift into vacation-mode. You will not be expected to do any class prep or admin work outside of class hours. We employ two long-term teachers (including a now-fluent former student), who know all our students well, providing much needed continuity to our classes. By assisting in our classes, you allow us to bring down student:teacher ratios (1:3 is our goal), speeding up our students' progress by making the lesson more student-focused. While there is no pressure to design classes yourself, we greatly value the ideas that come from the 10-15 volunteers who stay with us each month from all over the world, and we are always excited to improve our curriculum. Our classes are 100% free for everyone to attend and are held in (safe) favelas, where paying for a class would not otherwise be an option.
life in vidigal
Is it safe?
Vidigal is considered one of the safest areas in Rio. Unlike in other neighborhoods, petty crime is rare, and the community is welcoming and used to tourists. Since its pacification in 2011, there’s been strong cooperation between the police and local groups. Located just 5 minutes from Ipanema and Leblon, Vidigal offers stunning views, vibrant cultural life, and a strong sense of community.
