Community foundations and institutes, due to their nature of varied causes and focus on the needs and potential of the territory, generate a significant positive impact on the communities where they operate. The CEO of IDIS, Paula Fabiani, had the opportunity to experience this model during her visit to Paraty, where she gained a deeper understanding of the Instituto Comunitário Paraty (ICP).
ICP plays a crucial role in promoting community and territorial development by collaborating within a network, engaging with local social actors, and supporting initiatives in the city’s socio-educational and socio-environmental ecosystem. This model has been gaining increasing strength in Brazil.
During her immersion in the territory, Paula was accompanied by ICP leaders Andreia Estrella and Ricardo Zuppi and was in contact with projects from social organizations that are part of the ICP network.
“Having this exchange with Paula was an experience that brought us a series of positive feelings and insights. We explained how the process of creating the Institute happened, how we initially started gathering as an unofficial network to try to solve problems together. And the support from IDIS was fundamental for us to become an actual institution,” says Ricardo Zuppi.

The meeting was about sharing experiences and learning with each other
One of the stops during the visit was the Instituto Náutico Paraty, an educational and sports project that has been promoting social transformation in the city for 25 years by teaching sailing to children and young people in situations of social vulnerability. The initiative was founded and is led by Gibrail Rameck Junior. Another initiative visited was Rede Alegrias, which includes a project related to the Banco Comunitário (in english, Community Bank). This initiative, led by Instituto Social Rural Jardim do Beija Flor and coordinated by Mônica Calderón, strengthens the local solidarity economy, promotes financial inclusion, and encourages the circulation of the community currency “Alegrias”, driving sustainable development and community well-being.
ICP is supported by IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment through the Transforming Territories program. This initiative by IDIS, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, fosters the creation and strengthening of Community Institutes and Foundations in Brazil by engaging donors and civil society, sharing knowledge, and providing technical support.
“Getting to know the work of Instituto Comunitário Paraty was an inspiring experience. It reaffirms the concept that community institutes and foundations are essential for local development, as they work directly on the needs of the territory. It is rewarding to see firsthand the impact of the Transforming Territories program and support this journey,” says Paula Fabiani.