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  • [ September 7, 2026 ] 2026 Elections: What’s at Stake for Favelas When Brazilians Cast Votes at the Ballot Box? #ParticipationWatch
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HomeSeries: Social Construction of the Favela

Series: Social Construction of the Favela

*Highlight

Social Constructions of the Favela Part 4: Tourist Perceptions Before and After Favela Tours

By Phie van Rompu • May 6, 2017

Clique aqui para Português This is the fourth article in a four-part series on the social constructions of favelas and the potential of favela tourism to break down negative stereotypes. The first two articles of this series […]

BRASIL graffiti (Photo by Phie van Rompu)
*Highlight

Social Constructions of the Favela Part 3: Favela Tourism as Resistance

By Phie van Rompu • May 1, 2017

Clique aqui para Português This is the third article in a four-part series on the social constructions of favelas and the potential of favela tourism to break down negative stereotypes. Sociologist Anthony Giddens argues that, due to […]

#UPPWatch

Social Constructions of the Favela Part 2: Glorification of War and Violence

By Phie van Rompu • April 22, 2017

Clique aqui para Português This is the second article in a four-part series on the social construction of favelas and the potential of favela tourism to break down negative stereotypes. The first article of this series established how […]

*Highlight

Social Constructions of the Favela Part 1: Stereotypes in Popular Films

By Phie van Rompu • April 14, 2017

Clique aqui para Português This is the first article in a four-part series on the social construction of favelas and the potential of favela tourism to break down negative stereotypes. One of the key perpetrators of creating […]

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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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

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  • Violations
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