Center Norte Institute receives Human Rights and Diversity Seal from the São Paulo City Hall for the second year in a row

The organization was awarded in the Women’s category with the project ‘Escola de Negócios Quiosque Solidário’, which aims to transform textile consumption into a tool for social and economic inclusion for artisans and seamstresses from communities in the northern area of São Paulo.

Instituto Center Norte, a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Cidade Center Norte, was recognized by the São Paulo City Hall, for the second year in a row, with the Municipal Seal of Human Rights and Diversity. The award was given in the Women’s category with the initiative ‘Escola de Negócios Quiosque Solidário’, which recently trained 53 craftswomen and seamstresses from the northern part of São Paulo in the 2^nd edition of the management and entrepreneurship training program conducted by Rede Asta in the region.

In its 3^rd edition, the Seal of Human Rights and Diversity of the São Paulo City Hall aims to recognize companies, third sector entities, and public agencies that adopt the best diversity and inclusion practices and policies. “This recognition for the second year is a great joy. We strongly believe in this project in partnership with Rede Asta, which is extremely important for the personal and professional development of these artisans and seamstresses, as a way to strengthen their capacity to generate their own income through entrepreneurship,” says Daniela Pavan, Sustainability Manager of Cidade Center Norte.

She reinforces that, currently, the project participants use the Cooperative Kiosk by Instituto Center Norte, located at Center Norte, where they have the opportunity to present and market their products, also a way to reinforce the learning acquired during the course. From October 2019 to June 2020, the artisans and seamstresses were mentored by a product designer, who guided them in improving their techniques and developing new pieces. In addition to that, they studied sales strategies and had access to tools that aim to streamline their businesses.

On the website of Instituto Center Norte, customers have access to the digital catalog (https://institutocenternorte.com.br/promocoes/) and can directly contact the Cooperative Kiosk through WhatsApp to clarify questions and even purchase products, remotely and quickly. Consumers have the option to pick up their purchases at the mall’s drive-thru service, located in a reserved area of the parking lot, with all the necessary safety measures.

“At the Cooperative Kiosk, they are responsible for the entire operation and products. In addition to the drive-thru, customers have the option of having their purchases delivered, a strategy that was negotiated directly by the new entrepreneurs with a local supplier, at a low fixed cost, which demonstrates the ability acquired for management and negotiation. I emphasize that many of these women were strongly affected by the crisis caused by the pandemic and are managing to maintain their families’ income with this opportunity,” adds Daniela.

Instituto Center Norte Cooperative Kiosk

Location: Center Norte Mall

Mall partial opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. The dining operations are also open daily, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Drive-thru: It is located in a reserved area of the parking lot (next to Bob’s) and follows the Mall’s opening hours.

Address: Travessa Casalbuono, 120 – Vila Guilherme – São Paulo/SP

About Instituto Center Norte

Instituto Center Norte is a non-profit organization, founded by Cidade Center Norte, whose purpose is to help improve the quality of life and income of the residents of northern area of São Paulo. Operations started in 2002 and, since then, Instituto Center Norte seeks to increasingly contribute to the residents’ personal and professional development, as well as to implement solutions and innovations in social actions that aim to make the north area more sustainable.

Press information:

CDI Comunicação (Cidade Center Norte) 

Débora Camargo – debora.camargo@cdicom.com.br – +55 (11) 97244-5211 
Caroline Pasternack – caroline.pasternack@cdicom.com.br – +55 (11) 96064-6491 
Marcia Avruch – marcia.avruch@cdicom.com.br – +55 (11) 98397-7805