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FAVELAS
FROM POVERTY TO DIGNITY
Gerando Falcões International (GFI), based in New York, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States, dedicated to fighting poverty in Brazil’s favelas by bridging gaps and breaking barriers through funding and supporting innovative projects from Gerando Falcões in Brazil.
Since 2019, we have worked to disrupt the cycle of poverty in Brazilian slums and outskirts communities through collaboration and technology, striving for a world where opportunities are accessible to all and every individual can achieve their full potential. With London, New York, and Miami as our main hubs, we are actively expanding across key European cities and strengthening our presence in the U.S., advancing our mission on a global scale.
MAIN IMPACT
5,500
favelas served in Brazil
1,500
social leaders trained
26
states + FD Reached
+910,000
lives impacted nationwide by our social techs
BECOMING WHAT WE DREAM
Gerando Falcões is a social development ecosystem committed to eradicating poverty in Brazil’s favelas and outskirts by generating transformative initiatives that create long-term impact through social technology methodologies. Our approach focuses on education, economic development, income generation, expanding access to opportunities, citizenship services, housing, sanitation, and more—fostering sustainable change in these territories.
Our story began in 2011 in Poá, a suburb of São Paulo, when Edu Lyra, after leaving college, independently published the book Young Falcons. He and a group of his friends sold 5,000 copies door-to-door in the favelas, funding the establishment of Gerando Falcões.
After 15 years of relentless, purpose-driven work, we have transformed almost one million lives since launching our first program. Edu Lyra, CEO in Brazil, and Gerando Falcões have earned recognition from the World Economic Forum, Forbes Brasil, and LIDE. Edu has been honored as an influential young leader, carrying the Olympic Torch and speaking at institutions such as Harvard, Babson, and companies like Google, Ambev, Bloomberg, and Accenture. He is also a member of the Bloomberg New Economy Dynamic Cities Coalition and served as a delegate at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2023.
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SOCIAL TECHNOLOGIES
When the tap is turned on and no water comes out, the entire day changes. In the favela, this is not “bad luck,” but multidimensional poverty, when several basic rights are denied at once. In Brazil, this reality affects 8 million people (6.1%), especially in favelas and outskirts communities. Because every favela and every family are unique, our work begins by listening. Each family starts by answering 10 questions in our app, generating the Dignity Index, which identifies their level of multidimensional poverty. From there, families enter a personalized two‑year journey, the Take Off Program, with clear goals, tailored support, and continuous monitoring as they progress toward a dignified life. This journey combines data and in‑field support, addressing housing, education, food security, income generation, women’s autonomy, early childhood, citizenship, and access to healthcare.
All of this happens inside our DIGHUBs, dignity offices located in each favela. With trained mentors and analysts, each DIGHUB can support up to 4,000 people per year, offering guidance, training, job access, and microcredit to break the cycle of poverty for good.
EVENTS & BENEFIT DINNERS
london
April
new york
october
MIAMI
DECEMBER/JANUARY
Since 2019, our annual Benefit Dinners have gathered around more than 250 distinguished guests at each event in cities such as New York, London, and Miami. These events have become a powerful platform for building a socially conscious community committed to driving meaningful transformation in Brazil. As our initiative continues to grow, we are expanding to new cities and countries, creating even more opportunities for engagement and impact.
2025/2026
