Founder of Cufa is named Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum

Celso Athayde, founder of Cufa (Central Única das Favelas), was chosen this Tuesday (18) Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation to integrate the community of innovators linked to the World Economic Forum.

Athayde’s appointment had already been announced in October, but the official ceremony took place this Tuesday morning, virtually, directly from Davos, Switzerland, where the Forum is being held. Another 14 social entrepreneurs from other countries were also nominated.

Athayde was recognized for his 24-year work at the helm of Cufa and Favela Holding, a group of 23 companies created in 2015 that aims to develop new businesses and generate jobs for the residents of the communities.

He was also in charge of Mães da Favela, a project that mitigated the effects of the pandemic crisis in 5,000 communities in the country.

Athayde was selected among the leaders of the 30 finalist initiatives of the Social Entrepreneur Award in Response to Covid-19 in Brazil, carried out by leaf in partnership with Schwab, in 2020.

“I am very happy when the work we do is recognized. I remember that we insisted on the name favela for over 20 years. I remember that we were the first to create businesses structured in favelas. [..] Glad to see many following in our footsteps. That’s what we built this road for, for you to pass safely. This award just shows how much we are on the right track,” wrote Athayde on his Instagram profile.

He is the 28th Brazilian to join the international roster of social entrepreneurs and the first black person in the country to be recognized by Schwab.

In 2020, Adriana Barbosa, winner of the 2019 Grão Trophy, was the first black woman to appear among the Brazilians who are part of the Schwab Network, nominated by Folha as one of the awards in the largest social entrepreneurship contest in Latin America.