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  • [ July 23, 2026 ] Surf Legend Ricardo Bocão’s Enduring Legacy in Rocinha [OBITUARY] *Highlight
  • [ July 17, 2026 ] ‘Favela Tourism as Citizenship: Pathways to a Community-Based, Sustainable Model’ — Public Hearing Highlights the Potential of Community-Based Tourism in Rio de Janeiro by Community Contributors
  • [ July 16, 2026 ] In the Context of Climate Overshoot, ‘Cities Are the Crucible and Fire That Drive the Change We Need, and That Change Will be Realized Through Housing,’ Says IPCC Coordinating Lead Author *Highlight
HomeSanta Marta

Santa Marta

#CommunityMedia

Optimism, Disillusionment and Despair: Favela Residents and Activists Debate Pacification

By Sarah Jacobs • April 21, 2015

Clique aqui para Português Community leaders and members of the public met on April 16 to discuss the Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) program in Rio’s favelas. The event was organized by the favela news portal Viva Favela (a […]

#GentrificationWatch

Tram, Tourism, History & Resistance in Santa Marta: “Each Brick Has Its Story”

By Miriane Peregrino • Translation by Cara D’Rosario • March 6, 2015

For the original in Portuguese by Miriane Peregrino, published in Agência de Notícias das Favelas, click here. The Santa Marta tram was launched on May 29, 2008, the same year Rio de Janeiro’s first Police Pacification Unit (UPP) was established […]

Civil Society

Summer Camp in Santa Marta Resists Despite Lack of Funding

By Sol Mendonça • Translation by Sarah Jacobs • February 8, 2015

Clique aqui para Português For the original in Portuguese, published in Viva Favela, click here. Every year, children between 6 and 12 years old, from Santa Marta favela in Botafogo in Rio’s South Zone, have a date […]

#UPPWatch

Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) Installations Part 1: 2008-2010

By Patrick Ashcroft, Rachael Hilderbrand • January 7, 2015

Clique aqui para Português This is Part 1 in a five-part series documenting Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) Installations.  Rio de Janeiro’s Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) program was initiated in late 2008; today units have been installed in 38 […]

Civil Society

Mail Service in Rio’s Favelas: Community Solutions in the Face of Government Neglect

By Nicole Froio • November 22, 2014

Clique aqui para Português The informal geography and history of favelas can mean it is difficult for letters and packages to be delivered to residents. The creativity and entrepreneurship of favela residents have resulted in […]

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RioOnWatch’s anti-racist reporting series won silver in the 2022 inaugural The Anthem Awards, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category among Best Local Awareness Programs.
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About

In May 2010, Catalytic Communities launched what was originally Rio Olympics Neighborhood Watch (hence RioOnWatch), a program to bring visibility to favela community voices in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. This news site, RioOnWatch.org, grew into a much-needed and unique reference featuring favela perspectives on the urban transformation of Rio. With diverse and deeply interlinked articles by a mix of community reporters, resident opinions, solidarity reporters, international observers, and academic researchers, we work to engender a more accurate picture of favelas, their contributions to the city, and the potential of favela-led community development in Rio and around the world.

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Awards

Special Thanks

Fundação Heinrich Böll Brasil
World Habitat
Fideicomiso de la Tierra Caño Martín Peña
Pastoral de Favelas
Center for CLT Innovation
Global Land Alliance
Ecocity Builders
Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation
SDSU Behner Stiefel Center
The Rio Times
Forum Grita Baixada
Beto Paixão Graphic Design
Architecture Museum of Vienna
Yale School of Architecture

  • Home
    • Highlighted Stories
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    • Sanitation
  • Violations
    • Human Rights
    • Housing Rights
    • Police Violence
    • Government Neglect
  • Organizing
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    • Sustainability
    • Participation
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    • Responsible Tourism
  • Content Map
    • by Community Contributors
    • by Int’l Observers
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      • Energy Justice Series
    • Event Reports
    • Video Stories
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