Knowledge Centers are human and economic development facilities created by the Vale Foundation to help improve the quality of life and contribute to the integrated, sustainable development of communities. The centers are civil society organizations of public interest, administered through local partnerships with public authorities and civil society entities.
Knowledge Centers are primarily designed to benefit children and teenagers from 6 to 18 years of age in the states of Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Pará and Rio de Janeiro. Participants engage in sports, cultural and educational activities that develop their physical, intellectual and emotional capabilities.
Knowledge center also work together with the community, acting to strengthen social networks. Respecting the local area’s productive vocation, Knowledge center seek to provide knowledge that is appropriate for each region, focusing on supply chains that can grow to a viable scale. These supply chains are organized in conjunction with the area’s small businesses, which receive technical, technological and networking support to help them make and sell their products.
Knowledge center also aim to disseminate new educational technologies and methodologies among local professionals, particularly public employees who are given sabbaticals by the municipal or state government to receive training, in an attempt to improve educational practices at schools and in the community.
Find out about the Knowlegde center