CataSaúde Viraliza was an online capacity-building project (from 2020-2022) for both organized and autonomous waste pickers in Brazil. It was designed to build capacity on COVID-19 safety protocols and support workers’ coping strategies through messaging platforms.
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The project was co-designed and implemented alongside partners – the National Movement of Waste Pickers in Brazil, MNCR; Nenuca Institute for Sustainable Development, INSEA; the Observatory for Inclusive Recycling, ORIS; Núcleo AlterNativas de Produção at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Pimp my Carroça. The online capacity-building course focused on decent work and reduction of risks during the pandemic, economic impacts and the recycling chain beyond the pandemic, and mapping of advocacy strategies. The project aimed to encourage and strengthen solidarity among organized and autonomous waste pickers.
The course consisted of four modules:
It also focused on collaborative experiences between organized and autonomous waste pickers and the distribution of personal protective equipment.
The course shared verified content and generated discussions with technical experts, academics and bureaucrats on the pandemic, health and safety issues affecting waste pickers, and public policies. These discussions shared medical and other technical content in layperson’s terms, helping to allay waste pickers’ fears.
Through this project, organized and autonomous waste pickers had collaborative experiences of joint commercialization of recyclables and solidarity and relief actions. Examples include a Latin American dialogue on COVID-19 about solidarity with autonomous workers.
