Espaço Criança Esperança (ECE) , by respecting and listening to the local communities, contributes to promoting education, culture, inclusion and social development in Brazil through theatre visits and cultural activities, as well as providing media centres, libraries and sports facilities.

The Child & Youth Care Centre in Rio de Janeiro was created in 2001, supporting the residents of the slums of Cantagalo and Pavão / Pavãozinho. In addition to sports facilities and classrooms, it offers a "Youth Space" with a computer room, playroom, games room for teenagers and young adults, a swimming pool and a library of over 38,000 book titles, all donated to the institution.

Since its foundation, ECE Cantagalo has received 9000 registrations. In 2011 alone, about 2000 children and young people have been regularly visiting the library, as well as participating in sports activities, cultural education and various courses. A football tournament twice a week has been attracting more than three hundred people!

In addition to capacity-building activities which help generate employment and income, ECE also promotes the empowerment of socially vulnerable communities, by developing activities designed to prevent urban violence such as football and other popular sports, theatre and dance. Tutoring and workshops provide the inhabitants with the necessary skills for the job application process and for work. As a result, many of them now have effective jobs.