A social program with proven impacts that brings not only quality education to hundreds of teenagers, but also sustainable development to entire families. This is the motto guiding the Tribute to the Future 2023 campaign, coordinated by the Norberto Odebrecht Foundation to raise funds for the Family Houses, partner rural schools in the Southern Bahia Lowlands in the execution of its Social Program, PDCIS. With the slogan “20 years impacting lives that transform tomorrow”, in honor of the two decades of PDCIS, the campaign was launched on October 4 at an event that brought together more than 250 members of the Novonor Group and guests, in person and remotely, in the auditorium of Torre Aroeira, in São Paulo.
“When I think of Tribute to the Future, I remember that it’s a Novonor Group-wide campaign. It brings Norberto Odebrecht’s legacy to life, because in addition to all the characteristics that define us as an economic group, he made us a humanist Group, with his thoughts on people as our greatest asset,” said Héctor Núñez, CEO of Novonor S.A. In addition to Héctor, Fabio Wanderley, the Foundation’s superintendent, also opened the event and was the campaign’s first official donor, making his contribution live with the support of Agents of the Future – volunteer members who help with the collections and who played special roles in the program. “This union for a cause is precisely what we want to leave as the main message of this day. We are a Group that looks to the future with actions in the present and our Tribute to the Future campaign is a great opportunity to strengthen this premise,” he said.
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Led by the Foundation’s Sustainability and Partnerships Officer, Cristiane Nascimento, the event was marked by emotion and moments of relaxation, with surprise videos and special appearances throughout the morning. The main protagonists of the campaign, the young beneficiaries were represented by Maria Eduarda, a student at the Igrapiúna Rural Family House (CFR-I), Dalana Conceição, from the Agroforestry Family House (CFAF), Yago Santos and Lívia Barreto, from the Presidente Tancredo Neves Rural Family House (CFR-PTN). Together with the school principals and CFR-PTN educator Fabiana Barreto, they took part in tributes, thanked campaign donors and gave their testimonies about how Tribute to the Future has made a difference in their lives. “I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for supporting our training. And I’m not just talking about professional training, as the Agribusiness Technician I’m going to be, but training as a citizen,” said Maria Eduarda.
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To conclude the event, Daniel Villar, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, called Mônica Odebrecht, granddaughter of the founder of the Novonor Group, to the stage. Together, they spoke about the importance of the Foundation’s actions, such as encouraging volunteering alongside the Group’s Businesses and the culture of giving, and emphasized how Norberto Odebrecht’s legacy lives on through the institution. “We are just a few days away from celebrating our founder’s birthday and it is our duty to contribute to the fight against poverty and inequality. We have a strong culture, a culture of social and environmental responsibility, linked to the spirit of service, and we already contribute to the communities in which we operate. We do this on the corporate side, but we need to do it on the individual side as well – and the Tribute to the Future is an excellent opportunity for that,” Villar pointed out.
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About the campaign and how to contribute
All the funds raised in the campaign go towards funding the educational process of around 350 teenagers a year, with an indirect impact on thousands of people. The schools’ projects are supported by the Municipal Funds for Children and Adolescents (FIA) and have the seal of approval of the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CMDCA). The three supported schools are recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Bahia State Department of Education, as well as being part of the UNESCO Associated Schools Programme.
You can participate with any amount through the website www.tributoaofuturo.com and also get a tax benefit: if you file your income tax return in full, you can deduct the amount donated in next year’s annual return, reducing the tax payable or increasing the refund in 2023. In order to receive the benefit, the donation must not exceed the limit of up to 6% of the tax owed by the taxpayer (click here to find out how much you can donate).
