Entrepreneurs from the favelas are transforming communities into business hubs.
With over 12 favelas in the country, 5,2 million residents own their own businesses, generating R$ 300 billion and driving local development.
247 - November 4th is celebrated as Favela Day, a date that celebrates the strength, creativity, and protagonism of popular Brazilian territories. According to a report published by Abrasel (Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants)Brazil has more than 12 favelas — a term that has been re-adopted by IBGE The word "favela" was included in the 2022 Census, after 52 years without official use. For experts, the return of the word "favela" represents a movement of identity reaffirmation, recognizing these spaces as powerful, diverse, and economically relevant territories, distancing itself from the pejorative tone historically associated with the term.
According to the Data Favela InstituteNear 17 millions of Brazilians They live in communities, and 5,2 million are entrepreneurs. Together, they move more than R$300 billion per year, and others 6 million residents They dream of opening their own business.
Bars and restaurants boost local entrepreneurship.
The eating out It is one of the main expressions of this economic dynamism, accounting for 15% of the projects Opened up in the favelas, bars, snack bars, and restaurants have become spaces for social interaction, opportunities, and income generation, strengthening ties between residents and contributing to local development.
In São Paulo, the entrepreneur Rodrigo Chad, owner of the buffet restaurant Aunt Cida's Delights, located in Clean campHe highlights the value of businesses in the suburbs. “Often we talk about going to a 'top' restaurant across the bridge. But I don't see it that way. There are places, including ones I've frequented, that are much better right here in the neighborhood,” he says.
From pandemic to prominence.
The trajectory of many entrepreneurs reflects the capacity for innovation and resilience of these territories. This was the case for... Val Cabral, owner of Le Gateau Confectionery and coordinator of Abrasel branch in Jardim Vitória, in Cuiabá (MT). She started her business during the pandemic, focusing on quality and connecting with her community.
“In the beginning, everything was new and scary, but I managed to create a product for my reality, for the reality of my favela. Today I make a quality coxinha that people see value in,” says Val.
For her, entrepreneurship in the favela is more than a survival strategy—it's an act of empowerment. “The favela is a place of opportunities. Whoever can see that goes much further, they'll break down walls, cross bridges, make connections. That's what we want: to have the favela as the protagonist,” she affirms.
Connection and belonging strengthen businesses.
Beyond the economic impact, starting a business within one's own community transforms social relationships. “We are residents of the neighborhood and we started working with an open-door policy. As residents, we didn't know so many people; today we've learned to experience the daily life of the neighborhood,” adds Rodrigo Chad, reinforcing how the business has become a meeting point and place for social interaction in Campo Limpo.
Recognizing the power and creativity of these entrepreneurs, the abrasel keeps six operational centers in favelas of the country: Serra Cluster (MG), Peace Neighborhood (BA), Campo Limpo (SP), Jardim Vitória (MT), Mariquinha Hill (SC) e Vergel do Lago (AL).