A pioneering initiative by Grupo Folha brings together 38 organizations to disseminate socio-environmental ideas and solutions for Brazil. Debates, documentary, forum on sustainability, website, blog and publication of news and profiles of social leaders are among the strategic actions to make social entrepreneurship a reference in the media and in society
With the objective of “spreading socio-environmental ideas and solutions for a new Brazil”, Folha de S.Paulo launches a pioneering initiative: the Folha Network of Socio-Environmental Entrepreneurs.
It is made up of finalists from the Social Entrepreneur Awards (in its seventh edition in 2011) and Social Entrepreneur of the Future (in the third edition). In this way, the newspaper becomes the first media group in the world to promote, select, disseminate and articulate Brazilian social leaders.
“The launch reflects the consolidation of a long-term project that Folha set out to develop from 2005 onwards, with the creation of the Social Entrepreneur Award, which selects and endorses innovative, sustainable social leaders with a strong impact on public policies and society in general”, says Sérgio Dávila, executive editor of Folha de S.Paulo.
In this first phase, the initiative brings together 38 innovative organizations with a notable social impact in the country. The social leaders who have already joined the proposal are: Ana Moser, from Instituto Esporte & Educação; André Albuquerque, from Terra Nova Land Regularizations; André François, from ImageMagica; Auro Lescher, from the Quixote Project; Axel Grael, from Instituto Rumo Náutico/Projeto Grael; Berenice Kikuchi, from the Sickle Cell Anemia Association of the State of São Paulo; Carlos Eduardo Zuma, from Instituto Noos; Cláudia Cotes, from Vez da Voz; David Hertz, from Gastromotiva; Eliana Tiezzi, from the Papel de Gente Project; Elizabeth Vargas, from the Ruth Cardoso Center; Érika Foureaux, from the Noisinho da Silva Institute; Eugenio Scannavino Netto, from the Saúde & Alegria Project, Fábio Bibancos, from Turma do Bem; Francisco Alemberg, from the Casa Grande Foundation; Joaquim de Melo Neto, from Banco Palmas; Jussara Matsuda, from Clínica Cidadã; Karen Worcman, from the Museum of the Person; Karina Rehavia, from Ninui; Luciano Huck, from Instituto Criar; Luiz Moura, from the Center for Teaching and Applied Research; Marcelo Mello, from Prove; Márcia Rolon, from the Homem Pantaneiro Institute; Maria Tereza Leal, from the Handicraft and Sewing Cooperative of Rocinha; Nicolau Priante Filho, from Coorimbatá; Patrícia Chalaça, from the Children's House; Raquel Barros, from the Lua Nova Association; Ricardo Cardim, from Friends of the Trees of São Paulo; Roberto Kikawa, from the Cies Project; Rodrigo Castro, from the Caatinga Association; Rodrigo de Méllo Brito, from Aliança Empreendedora; Rosana Bianchini, from Instituto Kairós; Sueli de Lima, from the Casa da Arte de Educar; Suzana and Cláudio Padua, from the Ecological Research Institute; Teresa Costa d'Amaral, from the Brazilian Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Valdir Cimino, from the Viva e Let Viver Association; Wagner Gomes, from the Local Economic Development Agency; and Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, from Projeto Uerê.
“The great merit of the network is to bring together different entrepreneurs who work in very different areas, at the same time very complementary, and make them join energy and experience to help design the future of Brazil”, says Ana Moser, from Instituto Esporte & Educação.
“I find in this network the inspiring power of multiplying the impact of our work and the possibilities of co-creating innovative solutions that generate transformation. I believe that we will strengthen ourselves to make socio-environmental practice a pillar of development in Brazil”, reports David Hertz, from Gastromotiva.
“Together, Folha and entrepreneurs, in their multiple innovations, are an example that diversity can create a collaborative reality and effective qualitative change in our country”, says Eliana Tiezzi, from Projeto Papel de Gente.
“I have no doubt that the work of this network of social entrepreneurs will lead to countless future public policies in Brazil”, highlights Luciano Huck, from Instituto Crie.
“If entrepreneurs create innovations and start movements, nothing better than Folha for these ideas and examples to spread and inspire the entire country. Rede Folha is not only here to stay, it is here to change”, emphasizes Rodrigo de Méllo Brito, from Aliança Empreendedora.
Third sector: new communication channels
“With the Folha Network of Socio-Environmental Entrepreneurs, Folha goes beyond the search and selection of ideas that are proven to be effective for Brazilian socio-environmental problems and starts to disseminate these actions in an integrated manner in the Folha Group's channels”, says Patrícia Trudes da Veiga, editor. of Supplements and the Social Entrepreneur.
The reader will benefit from more information about the third sector and new communication channels. through the website www.folha.com.br/empreendedorsocial, you can have access to news about cooperativism, social business and socio-environmental practices. At the address, there are also tips on sustainability actions, profiles of social entrepreneurs and information on innovative initiatives.
Members of the Folha Network of Socio-Environmental Entrepreneurs also regularly contribute with posts on the Social Entrepreneur Blog: http://empreendedorsocial.folha.blog.uol.com.br/.
Debates and documentary
The series “Dialogues with Rede Folha” is part of the initiative, which will hold monthly debates on the internet on subjects of great relevance to the country, produced by TV Folha and broadcast by Folha.com.
In addition, the network will be the subject of a documentary in series format, to be produced by TV Folha, and will articulate the 3rd Forum of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurship, in 2012.
about the awards
The Social Entrepreneur Award, held by Folha de S.Paulo and the Schwab Foundation, is in its seventh edition. The Folha Empreendedor Social de Futuro Award, an exclusive initiative by Folha de S.Paulo, is in its third year. Both seek to recognize social leaders who act in an innovative, sustainable way and with a strong impact on society and public policies. On November 9, Folha de S.Paulo will publish the winners and finalists of the awards, with circulation, on the 10th, of a special section with the detailed profile of the 2011 finalists.
The socio-environmental contests are sponsored by Ernst & Young Terco and strategically supported by Artemisia; Ceats (Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Third Sector Administration); Iats (Institute of Administration for the Third Sector); Figueiredo Lopes, Golfieri, Reicher, Storto Advogados; IGesc (Management for Civil Society Organizations); Neuron; Sitawi and The Hub.
Other supporters are ABCR (Brazilian Association of Fundraisers), Ashoka, CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development), Ethos, Folha.com, Gife (Group of Institutes, Foundations and Companies), NGO Brazil, P&B Comunicação, Planeta Volunteers, Sator and UOL.
