Viva Favela is Viva Rio’s largest IT Program , focused on the social and digital inclusion of children, teenagers and youth in poor neighborhoods, who are particularly exposed to risks in a conflictive environment.

Digital exclusion entails three broad issues: access, training and content. The Web Portal Viva Favela provides specific and general information to the public of favelas and low income groups in the periphery. The web portal is entirely designed to answer the needs and interests of interaction of cultural promoters, artists and the general public who search for information about low income communities. Difficulties in access involve (i) lack or poor dial-up network and (ii) high cost of hardware and software. Wireless connection has been the solution found for the first problem, through a partnership between Viva Rio and two telecommunication companies. The use of wireless technology by Viva Rio has gained international recognition. It received the award granted in 2001 by the International Wireless Communication Association for the best project for low income communities. Public use of Internet at low prices (US$0,60 per hour) in Telecenters located in Favelas is a second approach to the access problem. Viva Rio operates 4 such centers, called “Future Stations”, on a self sustaining basis. Future Stations offer a wide range of services, from virtual access for entertainment, labour market information and business opportunities. The “B2B in the favelas” project, linking up local micro trade to large scale suppliers and logistics is a wonderful example of success. Furthermore, Viva Rio is currently negotiating the start of a larger technology recycling program aimed at offering used computers for domestic use at low prices (about US$130 per unit). Training addresses the large educational plight affecting poor teenagers and youth in Brazil. In partnership with Roberto Marinho Foundation, Viva Rio has developed a methodology for a fast recovery of the lost years of study. This program, called “Community Telecourse”, was initiated by Viva Rio in 1997 and has gained national scope (an overseas experiment was made in East Timor. It should work well in Angola and Moçambique). Over 60.000 students have attended the class rooms co-ordinated by Viva Rio in churches and neighborhood associations. In addition to the school disciplines, curriculum includes gender relations, environment, human rights, first job information, first aid and computer training.