Additional Information

The programme was created in 1986 by Globo TV, the largest Brazilian broadcasting network that reaches 86.33% of Brazil’s 5,564 municipalities, to raise awareness on children’s rights motivating them to hope for a better future. Since then five thousand projects have benefited over four million children and young people in every corner of Brazil.

Once a year, a live show is produced and broadcasted at prime time where artists and celebrities advocate for the programme. The show is structured around a central theme, such as Education, Human Rights, Cultural Diversity. The fundraising campaign lasts one month and, through thousands of TV spots, the public is invited to donate by phone directly to UNESCO. The show is the culminating event and the campaign as a whole receives large audience ratings. This makes Criança Esperança one of the most visible and recognized social programmes in Brazil.

Over the last years, several prominent corporations joined the programme. Moreover, Criança Esperança is often featured and used as a reference in news, documentaries, interviews and even entertainment shows creating opportunities to keep themes related to childhood and adolescence high in the public agenda.

Every year, through an innovative public selection process, the Social and Human Sciences sector of UNESCO Brasilia Office selects projects submitted by NGOs. They not only receive financial support, but also programmatic advice from the Office’s team, setting in motion a process of knowledge transfer. Many of these initiatives are local responses to minimize problems and to induce the improvement of public policies. Moreover they also reinforce local leaderships.

Project proposals are analyzed based on national and international norms, whereby the child and adolescent are seen as being society's greatest asset. Although projects can be supported by Criança Esperança for up to two years, priority is given to those that show evidence of sustainability. Another priority is on offering technical and vocational training to young people.

Since the partnership with UNESCO was first set up, 450 projects have been selected. In 2011, the Criança Esperança programme supported 75 local projects, benefitting 20 thousand children and adolescents.

There are four Criança Esperança Centres: Olinda, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

The Criança Esperança Programme

• Promotes social inclusion of vulnerable groups such as youth, afro-descendants, indigenous people and girls;
• Supports initiatives which function as social laboratories aiming to inspire youth public policies;
• Stimulates young people to attend basic education and technical and vocational training;
• Encourages youth participation and engagement;
• Offers sport, leisure activities, and digital inclusion;
• Supports projects:
  • to promote human rights and racial equality;
  • to prevent violence, sexual abuse and the exploitation of children and youth;
  • focused on the Millennium Development Goals among which, the reduction of extreme poverty and infant mortality rates.