Programa Votorantim de Apoio ao Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (Votorantim Program of Support to the Children’s and Adolescents’ Statute)

One of the methods for investing in Brazilian youth is the allocation of financial resources by companies and individuals to Fundos dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente (FIA – Funds of Children’s and Adolescents’ Rights). The mechanism established by Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA – Children’s and Adolescents’ Statute) stimulates taxpayers to set aside part of their Income Tax due for investment in programs and projects concerning the rights of children and of adolescents.

Contributions are managed by the Conselhos Municipais dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente (Municipal Councils of Children’s and of Adolescents’ Rights - CMDCA). Every sum allocated to the Fund can be deducted in full from the Income Tax due by individuals up to the limit of 6%, and from that due by legal entities up to the limit of 1%.

Since 2004, the companies from Grupo Votorantim have set aside resources for Fundos dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente. Within this context, in 2006 Instituto Votorantim drew up Via Votorantim, a program that integrates and aligns all the sums allocated by the Group to FIA, assuring quality in the allocation of the resource.

The major differential of the program is the investment of Grupo Votorantim in the monitoring of the supported projects, with educational workshops for professionals from the entities responsible for the execution of the projects and members of the Muncipal Councils of Children’s and of Adolescents’ Rights (CMDCA), strengthening the network of protection of children and adolescents from the municipalities covered. Furthermore, the program directly involves employees of Votorantim in the supervision of the projects supported, by means of visits and monitoring reports

Via Votorantim was implemented in pilot form in 2005, with funds allocated to the municipalities of Paulista (PE) and Itapetininga (SP). In 2006, the program oriented the allocations of various Business Units of the Group, paving the way for the performance of projects of defense and promotion of the rights of children and adolescents in 22 municipalities where Votorantim is present this year, with over 8 thousand beneficiaries.

The principles of Via Votorantim consist of improving the quality of life of children and adolescents in a situation of vulnerability, and strengthening the management structures of Councils and Funds, contributing toward the full deployment of ECA. Unicef’s CDI (Child Development Index), and SEI (Social Exclusion Index) are utilized for the choice of the municipalities attended. Cities considered strategic to Grupo Votorantim are prioritized.