{"id":56779,"date":"2019-11-20T15:11:02","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T18:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=56779"},"modified":"2024-07-08T12:30:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T15:30:18","slug":"sustainable-favela-network-2nd-annual-meet-up-strengthens-bonds-and-charts-networks-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=56779","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Favela Network 2nd Annual Meet-Up Strengthens Bonds and Charts Network\u2019s Future [VIDEO AND IMAGES]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Sustainable Favela Network<\/a> (SFN) is a program of Catalytic Communities<\/a> (CatComm)* designed to build solidarity networks, bring visibility, and develop joint actions to support the expansion of community-based initiatives that strengthen environmental sustainability and social resilience in favelas across the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. The program began with the 2012 film Favela as a Sustainable Model<\/a>, followed in 2017 by the\u00a0mapping of sustainability initiatives<\/a>. <\/em>In 2018, the program organized<\/i>\u00a0intimate on-site exchanges among eight of the oldest and most established organizations<\/i><\/a>, followed by a <\/i>full-day exchange that finally launched the network<\/i><\/a> on November 10, 2018.<\/i><\/p>\n

In 2019, the Sustainable Favela Network realized a second round of on-site exchanges\u2014this time open to the public\u2014in the communities of Babil\u00f4nia<\/a>,\u00a0Camorim<\/a>,\u00a0Pavuna<\/a>,\u00a0Vila Kennedy<\/a>\u00a0and Manguinhos<\/a>. The 2019 activities culminated with the Sustainable Favela Network’s second annual full-network meeting. In addition to featuring the initiatives that hosted the year’s five exchanges, the day invited the Network’s recently launched seven working groups (dedicated to Solar Energy, Solid Waste, Environmental Education, Water and Sewerage, Memory and Culture, Income Generation, and Gardens and Reforestation) to present their members and plans, and deepen their work by engaging new people.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

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On a misty morning in the hills of Santa Teresa<\/a>, 126 favela organizers and technical allies f<\/span>rom across Rio de Janeiro came together for the Second Annual Meeting of the Sustainable Favela Network (SFN<\/a>). Among participants, 55% came from 48 different favela communities, with the other 45% primarily technical allies from across the city and beyond. The largest contingent came from Rio’s North Zone (37), followed closely by the West Zone (35), then South Zone (22). After <\/span>numerous fruitful SFN exchanges<\/span><\/a> hosted throughout 2019, the annual meeting offered a rare opportunity to bring the web of initiatives together in one place. Held on November 9 on the leafy grounds of the <\/span>EcoCasa Silvestre<\/span><\/a> with support from the <\/span>Heinrich B\u00f6ll Foundation<\/span><\/a>, the day\u2019s events gave network members the chance to reflect, engage, and connect, drawing on the experiences of groups across the city\u2019s favelas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon arrival, zero waste, maximum taste baked goods greeted attendees, prepared by internationally renowned favela chef Regina Tchelly and her <\/span>Favela Org\u00e2nica<\/span><\/a> team from the <\/span>Babil\u00f4nia<\/span><\/a> favela in Rio\u2019s <\/span>South Zone<\/span><\/a>. Upstairs, inspired by the SFN Solid Waste Working Group, event organizers had set up a swap table where participants could leave goods they no longer wanted and take whatever interested them; the SFN Income Generation Working Group had an artisanal craft area for network members to display and sell their sustainable products; and an anonymous table with paper and pens invited participants to share their hopes and fears in leading sustainability initiatives in their communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some members traded reusable water bottles, trinkets, and keepsakes. Others sold homemade soap and works of art. Still others posted notes to the activity boards, explaining they had almost given up because of \u201cdoubt from others\u201d or \u201clack of support,\u201d but had pushed on because they found \u201cstrength from [their] communities,\u201d \u201csupport from where they least expected it,\u201d and because of the SFN itself. \u201cWhen we see the network growing, we know that we are not alone!\u201d wrote one member.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Kicking off the day, the group paid homage to the late <\/span>Miguel Silva de Moura<\/span><\/a> (6\/6\/1955\u20136\/25\/2019), former president of the Luiz Carlos Prestes Residents’ Association in <\/span>Cascadura<\/span><\/a>, in Rio’s North Zone<\/a>, who had been a key participant in the Network’s launch a year earlier. Now representing the Residents’ Association, Carlos Augusto and Gisele Profeta took the stage to honor the community leader and his 30 years of community service. \u201cThe main attitude of a leader is to leave a legacy, so that those who come later can continue carrying out that work, just as Mr. Miguel did,\u201d said Profeta, adding he hoped to continue da Silva\u2019s legacy, serving as a leader for today\u2019s youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Highlighting the SFN exchanges of 2019, CatComm Institutional Director Roseli Franco launched the below video produced by filmmaker Luiza de Andrade. From April through October, the SFN had been hosted by network members at five full-day exchanges: <\/span>RevoluSolar and Favela Org\u00e2nica<\/span><\/a> in Babil\u00f4nia, South Zone; the <\/span>Quilombo do Camorim Cultural Association<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>Jacarepagu\u00e1<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>West Zone<\/span><\/a>; the <\/span>National Organized Graffiti Workshop Space (RONGO)<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>Pavuna<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>North Zone<\/span>; the <\/span>Kennedy Brothers Community Center<\/span><\/a> (CCIK) and Environmental Agents in <\/span>Vila Kennedy<\/span><\/a>, West Zone; and <\/span>Hadasha\u2019s Workshop and the Green Roof Favela project<\/span><\/a> in the <\/span>Manguinhos<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Parque Arar\u00e1<\/span><\/a> favelas, in Rio’s North Zone.<\/span> The below video of these exchanges will shortly be subtitled in English.<\/p>\n