May 21, 2020
The Ilumina Paraisópolis Project is the result of a partnership between Signify Foundation, local government, NGOs and associations in Paraisópolis, on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil.
Paraisópolis, which has the second-largest favela, has a large population of over 100,000 inhabitants, living in densely packed quarters. In the few existing public or community spaces, the lack of lighting renders them unsafe after dark.
After sunset, many of these specific areas in the favela become points of vulnerability, crime and insecurity. Especially for children and women. The Ilumina Paraisópolis Project asked the local community which areas were the most vulnerable and illuminated them. Locations such as pedestrian crossings, areas of cultural interest, access to health services and educational projects all received lighting installations.
In January 2020, the first selected area received LED installations – the Rooftop Garden Project (“Projeto Horta na Laje”). The project was developed by the Local Residents Association and aims to demonstrate how easy it is to grow fresh organic food on the rooftops. Through environmental and nutritional education, activities offered by "Horta na Laje" stimulate civic and sustainability awareness while encouraging healthier eating and the creation of small green spaces. In the same spot, a group of female entrepreneurs run a restaurant that serves lunch using those herbs and vegetables. The new LED lights installation extends these projects’ opening hours and will provide conditions to engage more people, offering courses and events for the population in the evening. It will give these projects more financial autonomy and will also benefit female entrepreneurship in the community. Over the next months, five other places will be illuminated, contributing to the security and the promotion of culture, leisure and quality of life.
