Equatorial Institute and Roberto Marinho Foundation launch Ecoar Call for Proposals via co.liga

The Ecoar Call for Proposals, an initiative of the Equatorial Institute in partnership with the Roberto Marinho Foundation, through co.liga, a free digital school of culture, technology, and the creative economy, is now accepting applications. The process begins on August 19 and continues until September 14, 2025. The program offers training and practical experience in developing creative projects and is aimed at young people and adults aged 18 to 59 who reside in the seven Brazilian states where the Equatorial Group operates: Amapá, Alagoas, Goiás, Maranhão, Pará, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Sul.

"At the Equatorial Institute, we believe that opportunities change stories. The partnership with the Roberto Marinho Foundation, through co.liga, reinforces our commitment to productive inclusion and strengthening local capacities . By connecting young people and adults to new ways of learning, entrepreneurship, and generating income, we are not only offering courses and tools, but also paving the way for each person to transform their own reality and that of their community. This initiative strengthens our core business, which combines social development, education, and sustainability, ensuring a positive and lasting impact in the territories where we operate," said Janaina Ali, coordinator of the Equatorial Institute.

The call aims to promote the development of knowledge for the creation of creative projects, valuing local identities and vocations. The development and writing of creative projects requires skills in planning, organization, and clarity of communication, combined with cultural repertoire, creativity, and strategic vision. It includes skills in structuring ideas, defining objectives, developing budgets and impactful narratives, with social sensitivity and the ability to mobilize partnerships.

"The partnership with the Equatorial Institute is crucial for co.liga because it allows us to focus our efforts on the areas where the Institute also operates. We believe that creative projects are an important gateway for those who want to work in the cultural field," says Alzira Silva, supervisor of productive inclusion at the Roberto Marinho Foundation.

According to her, this partnership was crucial in defining the scope of the call, which aims to strengthen the skills and competencies of people interested in developing creative projects in the seven states where Equatorial operates, valuing local protagonism and encouraging the creation of initiatives connected to their territories.

ECOAR NOTICE PROGRAM

Over three training cycles , participants will develop their projects until the final stage, which will award the three best projects from each state , a total of 21 initiatives recognized in the country.

In the first phase , all applicants will participate in a free digital training course from co.liga, covering rights and the democratization of culture, anti-racist communication, and writing cultural projects. To advance to the next stage, candidates must submit a preliminary project. cultural intervention , and 30 proposals per state will be selected .

In the next stage , the 210 selected participants will receive grants and specialized mentoring to develop and finalize their projects, as well as access to the Managing Businesses in the Creative Economy course , which offers practical management tools focused on the creative economy. The initiative prepares participants to act independently and connect with the cultural and economic dynamics of their territories.

By the end of the second phase , participants are expected to have completed their cultural projects. A judging panel will select the three best projects from each state, totaling 21 winning initiatives. The authors will receive a cash prize and participate in the project's closing event.

The closing ceremony will be a moment of celebration and public presentation of the training results, highlighting the most relevant aspects of the process. The agenda will demonstrate how projects can mobilize people, forge partnerships, and promote transformations in the territories, highlighting skills such as organizing ideas, defining objectives, developing budgets, and being sensitive to local contexts.

Camilla Negreiros, project analyst at co.liga, emphasizes that working together with local organizations helps create networks and strengthen the territory's ecosystem : "This opportunity is very important for the co.ligada network, our partner organizations that work in the territories. The seven institutions involved in this project have knowledge of their state, its population, and its priorities. It's a strategy that strengthens the call for proposals, the school, the partner organizations, and especially the participants, who will have the opportunity for free training in the project area and will be able to connect with other stakeholders in their region ."

With activities scheduled from August 2025 to February 2026 , the initiative also aims to increase the number of students in the co.liga, strengthening the school's presence in the seven territories. Black people, Indigenous people, women, and members of the LGBTQIAPN+ community will be prioritized in the selection process, reaffirming the project's commitment to diversity and productive inclusion.

The training process will include the participation of local partner organizations, such as Instituto Arteiros (AL), Gira Mundo (AP), Casa de Cultura da Juventude de Goiás (GO), Institute of Social Studies and Integrative Therapies (MA), Instituto Território das Artes (PA), Instituto Avante da Juventude (PI) and Mercosul Visual Arts Biennial Foundation (RS).

NOTICE CALENDAR

Registration: August 19 to September 14, 2025

1st phase training: September 17 to November 10, 2025

Submission of pre-projects: November 24 to December 14, 2025

2nd phase training: January 5-23, 2026

Submission of completed projects: January 26 to February 8, 2026

Result: February 23, 2026

Further information will be available on the co.liga website: www.coliga.digital

ABOUT THE EQUATORIAL INSTITUTE

The Equatorial Institute is a legacy of the Equatorial Group, with the mission of contributing to the reduction of social inequalities in the territories where it operates by adapting solutions to local realities and strengthening partnerships between communities and different sectors.

ABOUT THE ROBERTO MARINHO FOUNDATION

For over 40 years, the Roberto Marinho Foundation has been innovating in educational solutions to ensure no one is left behind. In all its initiatives, it promotes a culture of education in a captivating, inclusive, and, above all, emancipatory way, in constant dialogue with society. It develops projects focused on basic education and solving educational problems that impact national assessments, such as age-grade distortion, school dropout, and learning gaps. The Foundation systematically conducts research that reveals the realities of Brazilian youth. Based on this data, public policies can be created in a wide range of sectors, especially education. Encouraging the productive inclusion of young people in the world of work is also among its priorities, as is the appreciation of diversity and equity. Through Canal Futura, it fosters a nationwide communication and social mobilization agenda, with audiovisual actions and productions that reach schools, educators, young people, and their families, who appropriate and utilize its educational content. More information is available on the Roberto Marinho Foundation website. Learn more: www.frm.org.br .

ABOUT THE CO.LIGA

Co.liga is a free digital school focused on culture, technology, and the creative economy. An initiative of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science, and Culture in Brazil (OEI) and the Roberto Marinho Foundation, it has Grupo Motiva, through its institute, as a supporting partner. The school offers free training in eight segments of the creative economy, as well as a cross-curricular training area with courses on entrepreneurship, project writing, pricing, anti-racist communication, and more. The school primarily serves young people between the ages of 15 and 29, but its courses are open to anyone, anywhere in the country or the world. It currently offers more than 50 training programs, all with certification. Check out the courses offered by the school on the website: https://coliga.digital/

ABOUT THE LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATION, FUNDAÇÃO BIENAL / RS

Founded in 1996, the Mercosul Biennial Foundation is a non-profit cultural institution dedicated to democratizing access to contemporary art. Over 14 editions, it has established itself as one of the largest and most relevant visual arts events in Latin America, reaching over 10 million people, including visitors and participants in its educational activities. Recognized for its ability to integrate culture, education, and innovation, the Mercosul Biennial mobilizes artists from dozens of countries and transforms Porto Alegre into an international hub for art and reflection. Its work extends beyond exhibitions, with ongoing training programs for teachers, students, and cultural mediators, strengthening the creative industry and social development. With a history marked by cultural and social impact, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to expanding horizons and generating transformative experiences through art.