Art and culture|Education / Professionalization|NGO's|Technology and inovation|Young apprentice
The year 2025 consolidated Instituto Ramacrisna as one of the main references in the Third Sector in Brazil. In a period marked by project expansion, institutional strengthening, and recognition both within and outside the country, the organization reaffirmed its strategic role in promoting education, culture, innovation, and productive inclusion.
More than just a summary of actions, the retrospective of the year reveals the maturity of a work built over decades, combining social impact, responsible management, and a vision for the future.
“The results we achieved in 2025 are not isolated. They reflect a consistent trajectory based on planning, governance, and, above all, a commitment to the people we serve,” says Solange Bottaro, vice president of the Ramacrisna Institute.
In 2025, education continued to be the central focus of the Institute’s initiatives. The Professor Arlindo Corrêa da Silva Library, which celebrated its 51st anniversary, took center stage with a special program focused on reading education and strengthening community ties. Workshops, cultural activities, and interactive actions transformed the space into an even more dynamic environment, bringing children, young people, and families closer to the world of reading.
Among the initiatives, the Cine Páginas em Cena project provided unique experiences for students at the Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER), while Blitz Literária took characters from literature beyond the bookshelves, filling the Institute and the community with creativity and imagination.
Another highlight was the expansion of the Mala de Leitura project, which now serves 75 public and affiliated daycare centers in Betim. The initiative reinforces the importance of encouraging reading from early childhood and has already impacted more than 50,000 people throughout its history, being nationally recognized for its social relevance.
“Reading is a powerful tool for human development. When we invest in childhood, we are investing in citizens who are more critical, sensitive, and prepared for the future,” says Solange Bottaro.
Music also played a prominent role. The Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated two decades of performances with special concerts that combined artistic quality, accessibility, and social commitment. The performances reaffirmed the potential of art as an instrument of inclusion and transformation of realities.
Innovation was present in 2025 with the advances of FabLab Ramacrisna, which celebrated its third anniversary and achieved international certification from the global FabLabs network, linked to MIT. This recognition positions the Institute at a level of excellence in the field of digital manufacturing and expands the possibilities for technology training for diverse audiences.
In addition to free courses in robotics, 3D printing, and digital development, the space began to operate weekly in a format open to the community, democratizing access to equipment and stimulating the creation of innovative solutions.
Another symbolic moment of the year was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Adolescent Apprentice Program, which throughout its history has prepared thousands of young people for the world of work. In 2025, the inauguration of a new center in Betim expanded the initiative’s reach and reinforced its commitment to youth employability.
“Promoting the productive inclusion of young people is an essential strategy for social development. Adolescente Aprendiz is a gateway to real opportunities and the construction of life projects,” says the vice president.
In the field of financial sustainability, the Institute celebrated the 50th anniversary of Cercas Ramacrisna, a social business responsible for ensuring the autonomy and continuity of the organization’s actions. The inauguration of a new factory, four times larger than the previous one, represented a significant advance in production capacity, with all profits going to social projects.
The institution’s performance in 2025 was also recognized with important awards. The Ramacrisna Institute was voted one of the 100 Best NGOs in Brazil for the eighth time, also winning the title of best NGO in Minas Gerais. The award recognizes criteria such as transparency, governance, and social impact.
On the national stage, the institution was honored during BrazilFoundation’s São Paulo 2025 Gala, reinforcing the relevance of organizations from Minas Gerais in the context of the Third Sector.
Internationally, Ramacrisna was the only Brazilian representative to receive the Global Humanitarian Award during the World Cultural Festival in India, among organizations from 100 countries.
“This international recognition shows that it is possible to generate global impact from well-structured local actions.
On the national stage, the institution was honored during BrazilFoundation’s São Paulo 2025 Gala, reinforcing the relevance of Minas Gerais organizations in the context of the Third Sector.
Internationally, Ramacrisna was the only Brazilian representative to receive the Global Humanitarian Award during the World Cultural Festival in India, among organizations from 100 countries.
“This international recognition shows that it is possible to generate global impact from well-structured local actions. It is a validation of our management model and the work we have been doing seriously over the years,” says Solange Bottaro.
As 2025 draws to a close, the Ramacrisna Institute reinforces its commitment to expanding opportunities and building a more just and inclusive future. With solid foundations, strategic partnerships, and recognized performance, the institution continues to transform lives and inspire new possibilities for social development.
