Challenge
Education is, without a doubt, a vital tool for transformation and social inclusion. This is the belief that upholds the work of Baccarelli Institute. The organization offers educational and artistic activities to young people in Heliópolis, the biggest favela in São Paulo, and more than twelve other territories in the city of São Paulo.
Only in Heliópolis, more than 1,400 children and young people participate annually in these activities, which include musicalization lessons for infants, choir practices, instrument teaching and participation in orchestras. All of this work aims to promote a transformation in the populations living in São Paulo’s most vulnerable communities.
With many lives being impacted, comes the following challenge: how to objectively comprehend the impact the initiative generates in society?
Solution
To answer this question, the Baccarelli Institute sought out IDIS to implement their initiative’s Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation. As well as obtaining evidence and indicators of the social transformations resulting from the actions undertaken, the methodology made it possible to assess the achievement of their initial goals. It also identified areas for improvement, further expanding the positive impact on society.
Results
The results of this assessment show that Baccarelli Institute’s actions are capable of positively impacting s;ociety. For each 1 BRL invested by the Institute, 3,49 BRL are generated in social benefits to society.
Furthermore, the qualitative assessment of the initiative identified a total of four positive changes made by the project in the lives of its beneficiaries:
– Development of cognitive skills;
– Broadening professional and personal future opportunities;
– Development of socio-emotional skills; and
– Improved interpersonal relationships.
“For more than 27 years, Baccarelli Institute has impacted the community of Heliópolis, transforming lives through education, culture and social inclusion. The SROI evaluation implemented by the IDIS team with such depth, sensibility and excellency brought us the opportunity to make the indicators of this social impact tangible and identifiable through data and scientific methodology. In addition to being very proud of the impact analyzed in this first SROI evaluation, it has allowed us an even more effective and engaged dialogue with society, which is essential for the continuity of the work made at Baccarelli Institute”, says Mauricio Cruz,institutional development manager at Baccarelli Institute.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
About the organization
One of the most respected non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Brazil, Baccarelli Institute has promoted, for more than 27 years, transformation and social inclusion through education for Heliópolis and other regions of São Paulo.
In Heliópolis, they work through music and dance, in addition to having created the world’s first symphonic orchestra based on a favela, the Orquestra Sinfônica Heliópolis, which is conducted and artistically directed by Isaac Karabtchevsky, doyen of Brazil’s regency.
In other places in the capital, the Institute works with culture, sports, leisure, recreation and technology through a contract made with the Municipal Office of Education to manage 12 units of Unified Educational Centers (CEUs), expanding their consistent journey of social transformation through education to other regions of the city.
