Brazil: Security with Citizenship: preventing violence and strengthening citizenship with a focus on children, adolescents and youths in vulnerable conditions in Brazilian communities

Urban violence in Brazil’s poor neighborhoods claims thousands of young lives every year. The Joint Programme supported the government in its efforts to prevent violence and promote citizenship, following the Citizens’ Security concept. This approach is being implemented in various countries in Latin America and emphasizes the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary strategy to prevent violence, given the multi-causal roots of conflict.  

The Programme was implemented in three communities, selected by levels of urban violence and potential for sustainability. Local plans were collaboratively constructed with local actors, and new methodologies were designed, tested and disseminated at the national level, contributing to the design and implementation of national public policies.

The programme strengthened the joint work of United Nations agencies, Government and non-governmental organizations by improving expertise in Joint Programme management and optimizing the implementation of integrated activities in this field, with a focus on violence prevention.

• Three analyses and municipal action plans for citizens' security were developed in a participatory manner with the leaders of local committees, and were presented in the respective municipalities to the local authorities, civil society and community members.
• Youth leaders were informed on issues of citizens' security, were involved in cultural, social and sports activities, and received support to develop skills in order to reduce their vulnerability to violence, HIV and drug abuse through the Programa Merito Juvenil (Youth Merit Programme).
• Safe urban spaces were promoted through a situational crime prevention strategy.

Click for more detailed results from the Joint Programmes in Brazil (in Spanish).