Technology to Promote Social Inclusion

Over 80% of Brazil’s population between the ages of 19 and 32 own a mobile phone, many of whom are underprivileged with limited access to information regarding employment or educational opportunities, not to mention leisure activities.

Sensing this gap, Rede Jovem, a social program that promotes digital inclusion in poor communities, developed 0800 Rede Jovem, an initiative that helps spread information about leisure and growth opportunities in the surrounding areas of their communities. Among such opportunities advertised are places to practice sports free of charge (courts, schools, free lessons), employment opportunities, free cultural and artistic events (concerts, exhibits, movies and plays), and free services related to citizenship (issuing documents, medical checkups). The objective was to create a virtual network where young people are able to find and discover interesting initiatives that are happening in their neighborhood, primarily those that are free of cost.

Currently, over 500 young Brazilians living in favelas (slums), have enrolled in the program, receiving at least one message per day. The information sent to them is tailored to their location, guaranteeing that the opportunities shared with them are relevant.

Research conducted among those enrolled have shown promising results:

• 62% have used the information sent to them by the project
• 64% say they have passed on the information they have received to somebody else
• 93% find the information they receive to be useful.

In a country such as Brazil, where there is a large gap between ease of access to information between the rich and the poor, 0800 Rede Jovem has found a way to use technology to provide useful information and, consequently, to promote social inclusion.

0800 Rede Jovem

Contributed by Mandalah - PSFK’s partner in São Paulo