Social development institutes in Brazil use sports for youth inclusion

Social development institutes in Brazil are utilizing sports to promote inclusion and education for children and adolescents.

Instituto Futebol de Rua, which will celebrate 20 years in 2026, has released a children's book titled ‘O menino do planeta fair play’. Co-authored by founder Alceu de Campos Natal Neto and director Diana Monteiro Sitonio, the book uses a story about a boy traveling to a ‘fair play planet’ to teach values of respect and sportsmanship. The organization, which has served over 86,000 vulnerable youths, operates across all Brazilian states and aligns its ten simultaneous projects with several UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In a separate initiative, the Instituto de Desenvolvimento Social ZLEC is hosting the first ‘Torneio X1 de Travinha’ at the Nova Vitória Nucleus. Led by former professional footballer Juninho, the tournament targets children across four age categories ranging from 5 to 14 years old. The institute aims to establish such competitions as permanent fixtures to provide community youth with opportunities for growth and to offer alternatives to local social risks.