MBRF Institute and Força Meninas launch program to train young people in Vale do Taquari
Free initiative offers 100 spots for girls and young women aged 13 to 21 from public schools in Lajeado (RS)
MBRF Institute, the organization responsible for coordinating MBRF’s social investment and impact projects—one of the largest food companies in the world—in partnership with the Força Meninas project, is launching the Career Compass program in Vale do Taquari, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The initiative combines career guidance, literacy on the contemporary job market, and incentives for school retention.
The program includes in-person workshops, mentorship sessions with professionals from different fields, as well as content on emerging careers, development of socio-emotional skills, hands-on activities, and certification upon completion for 100 girls and young women aged 13 to 21 from the public school system. The training is free of charge and will take place at the University of Vale do Taquari (Univates).
The program’s arrival in the region comes in a context of social and educational rebuilding. Vale do Taquari was heavily impacted by extreme weather events, affecting schools, urban infrastructure, and educational trajectories. In this scenario, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen education in the region, recognizing it as an essential tool for rebuilding life projects. “When a climate crisis hits a territory, it affects more than homes and streets. It impacts dreams, choices, and possible life paths. Career Compass was created as an educational response to this context, supporting girls in reclaiming their right to plan their future,” says Deborah De Mari, founder of Força Meninas.
The Career Compass program was first implemented in Vitória de Santo Antão (PE) in 2024, also with the support of Instituto MBRF, where it guided public school students through a structured journey of career orientation and preparation for the future of work.
“Education is an essential tool to expand opportunities and transform life paths. Through our Education for the Future pillar, we support initiatives that connect young people to concrete development opportunities. Our partnership with Força Meninas reinforces this commitment by offering training and guidance so that girls can plan their life projects with greater autonomy and broaden their future perspectives,” says Raquel Ogando, President of MBRF Institute.
About MBRF Institute
MBRF Institute is responsible for coordinating MBRF’s social investments and projects. MBRF is one of the largest food companies in the world and the owner of brands such as Sadia, Sadia Bassi, Perdigão, Perdigão Montana, and Qualy. With the purpose of promoting more just and sustainable communities, the Institute acts as an accelerator of positive social impact, driving initiatives in food and education, in addition to managing the MBRF Volunteer Program. Over its 13 years of operation, it has impacted the lives of more than 3.8 million people, mobilized 48,000 volunteers, and carried out more than 4,000 social initiatives across 70 Brazilian cities.