PROJECT

Building Pathways is an initiative of Redes da Maré focused on promoting the rights of adolescents, young people, and families experiencing social vulnerability, institutional violence, restrictions on freedom, and difficulties accessing public policies.

Created in 2020, the project works in the areas of socio-educational services, alternative sentencing, and comprehensive protection. Between 2022 and 2025, it reached 458 people through criminal socio-legal services, provided 1,850 consultations, and supported 73 adolescents and young people serving socio-educational measures.

In 2026, Building Pathways begins a new phase at the Black House of Maré, with support from the National Secretariat for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, part of the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship. During this phase, 60 adolescents and young people aged 12 to 21, residents of Maré’s 15 favelas and selected through a public call, will take part in an eight-month training program featuring professional qualification, psychosocial support, workshops, and cultural activities.

In coordination with Maré of Rights, the project also provides psychosocial and socio-legal support to people leaving the criminal justice system and their family members, people referred for community service, and adolescents and young people serving or who have completed socio-educational measures. A total of 500 consultations and 1,500 indirect beneficiaries are expected during this new phase.

ACTIVITY FRONTS AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Building Pathways combines professional qualification, psychosocial and socio-legal support, cultural activities, knowledge production, and policy advocacy. Activities are developed according to the profile and needs of each group served.

PSYCHOSOCIAL AND SOCIO-LEGAL SUPPORT

The project provides assistance, guidance, and ongoing support to adolescents, young people, and their families. The technical team identifies social, legal, and psychosocial needs; assists with obtaining documents; helps ensure access to rights; and makes referrals to public policies, justice institutions, and protection services.

In addition to direct assistance, Building Pathways maintains partnerships with public institutions and civil society organizations to strengthen referral and service networks and expand access to services. This work involves education, social assistance, and healthcare services, as well as the socio-educational system, the justice system, and other bodies responsible for the comprehensive protection of adolescents and young people.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

The new phase expands access to professional training for adolescents and young people, offering courses focused on income generation, the development of technical skills, and entry into the workforce.

Training includes a smartphone and tablet repair course, with theoretical and practical content covering maintenance, basic electronics, component replacement, and professional safety; and a cultural production and events course, which introduces the fundamentals of cultural production in peripheral territories based on experiences developed by Redes da Maré.

WORKSHOPS, CULTURE AND THE RIGHT TO THE CITY

The project organizes workshops, discussion circles, training sessions, cultural outings, and activities that promote mobility and circulation throughout the city. Topics include human rights, culture, identity, territory, racial justice, community participation, prevention of problematic psychoactive substance use, social and emotional skills, addressing violence, preparation for the world of work, urban mobility, and the right to the city.

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION AND POLICY ADVOCACY

Based on its services, training activities, and coordination with the protection network, Building Pathways will develop an assessment of public policies, rights violations, and opportunities for advocacy.

This work aims to strengthen public debate around Black youth as rights-bearing subjects, comprehensive protection, access to justice, quality education, culture, and the role of the socio-educational system in guaranteeing and restoring rights.

BUILDING PATHWAYS IN NUMBERS

Results demonstrating the project’s impact on promoting rights and protecting adolescents, young people, and families in Maré.

458

People reached through criminal socio-legal services between 2022 and 2025.

1,850

Services provided by the project.

Adolescents supported while serving socio-educational measures.

Adolescents and young people expected to participate in the new training phase in 2026.

500

Psychosocial and socio-legal consultations expected in 2026.

1,500

Indirect beneficiaries expected during the new phase of the project.

PROJECT TIMELINE

2020–2021 | PROJECT LAUNCH

Building Pathways begins its work focusing on employability, access to social assistance policies, and support for people leaving the criminal justice system.

2022–2023 | CONSOLIDATION

The project strengthens partnerships with the justice system and social assistance services, including Specialized Social Assistance Reference Centers (CREAS) and the Federal Justice system, to support adolescents serving socio-educational measures and adults serving alternative sentences. It also expands services and rights guidance throughout the territory.

2024 | EXPANDING THE PUBLIC AGENDA

The project holds its first public event, featuring a discussion on criminal justice policy and the launch of a guide on creating pathways out of the prison system.

2025 | NETWORKED ACTION

Now based at Casa Preta da Maré, the project expands its work with adolescents and young people from Maré’s 15 favelas who are experiencing extreme vulnerability or serving socio-educational measures.

2026 | NEW PHASE

Building Pathways becomes integrated with other initiatives at the Black House of Maré and strengthens its preventive and intersectional approach. The project combines access to rights, civic education, professional qualification, and the creation of opportunities for adolescents and young people from the territory.