Creative economy

Creative Villages offer training in more socially vulnerable neighborhoods

The key pieces of equipment for the practical application of this strategy are the 12 creative villages scattered throughout Santos (see addresses below). Installed in the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods (lower HDI), they currently serve more than 5,000 people with professional qualifications, as well as cultural and social activities, strengthening the social, civil and political capacities of disadvantaged groups. The experience of these facilities is even highlighted in the book ‘Cities, Culture, Creativity: leveraging culture and creativity for sustainable urban development and inclusive growth’, published by UNESCO in 2021.

Last year, more than 3,200 students attended qualification courses in the creative villages, in the most diverse areas such as gastronomy (pizzaiolo, gourmet brigadeiro, Brazilian sweets, artisanal hamburgers and cupcakes), fashion and beauty (techniques of assembling jewelry, aromatherapy, eyebrow shaping and facial hair removal), sales (how to attract more customers, product photos for social media, digital marketing on social media for e-commerce, how to advertise on social media, Market place setup, customer service) and technology (programming logic and basic informatics).

This year's classes have already started and dozens of students are attending the courses, as always with free registration and carried out in partnership with renowned institutions, such as Sebrae and Senac.

Installed since June 2016 inside the Municipal Market, in Vila Nova, Ecofábrica Criativa is an opportunity for training for the job market, talent development, income generation and quality of life. In the courses, coordinated by the Social Solidarity Fund (FSS), students learn to make pieces for urban furniture - signs, racks, benches and flower boxes -, in addition to decorative objects.

In classes, wood collected by Cata Treco (municipality recyclable collection) is reused. The course is divided into two modules. The first, for training apprentices, lasts for three months. The second, nine months, for professional training in woodworking. The Public Services (Seserp) and Environment (Semam) departments are also partners in the project.

In 2018, the proposal was recognized by the IF Design Award in the Social Impact category. The award is one of the most coveted by designers around the world and considered the Oscars of Design.

Restaurante-Escola Estação Bistrô (Largo Marquês de Monte Alegre, Valongo) is the result of an exclusive partnership between the Catholic University of Santos and the City of Santos for the inclusion of young people aged between 18 and 29 in situations of personal and social vulnerability. Every day, two options of dishes are offered, prepared by the chef and prepared by the young people of the restaurant-school.

All are registered at the Social Assistance Reference Centers (Cras) and linked to the Novo Rumo Qualification Program. They receive, through the program, transportation vouchers, a minimum wage grant and life insurance.

Classes of approximately 20 students are formed per semester. Each one has a total of 60 hours/classes of training, with Master Professors and PHD from the University's Gastronomy and Nutrition courses.

During the course, students learn: basic cooking skills, current methodology for hygienic-sanitary control of food, identification of goods, fundamentals of restaurant and event services. Also: enology and beverages, confectionery and bakery foundations, culinary fundamentals in the preparation of hot and cold cuisine, socio-educational work, specific practical content, applied mathematics and instrumental English.

At the end of the program, two participants are selected who are interested in following the training course for ‘barista and tourism agent’. The first qualification is in charge of the Café Museum and the students undergo practical training. In the tourism agent course, young people receive guidance on hospitality, to welcome tourists, and carry out technical visits to all tourist spots in the City.
Also during the program, they rotate weekly in the different sectors of the restaurant. At the end of each stage, the instructors assess the individual and collective performance of the participants.

In nine years of operation, the school-restaurant has trained more than 300 young people in social risk, 40% of whom were integrated into the job market even before completing the course.