What the Project Is
The Carlotas project is a vibrant initiative centered around the power of empathy and the strength of diversity. It is a company with a clear social purpose that uses art, dialogue, and playfulness to expand the understanding of diversity and to foster empathy and respect in everyday relationships. With a mission to enhance the potential of empathy and stimulate the appreciation of diversity through creative approaches, the project creates safe spaces where emotions, self-reflection, and collaborative dynamics merge. The method taps into both art and creative learning, making it possible to access the non-cognitive parts of human experience, all while engaging participants in a new perspective on relationships.
Main Benefits
The benefits of the Carlotas project are far-reaching, with a structured approach that touches on various aspects of soft skills development and emotional intelligence. Key facts include:
- BCorp Score: 93.9
- Focus Areas: Empathy, soft skills, social-emotional development
- Program Modules: Carlotas in Companies and Carlotas in Education
- Core Values: Empathy, Respect, Vulnerability, Playfulness, and the idea that 1+1>2
- Collaborations in schools, companies, and community programs, fostering inclusion and self-knowledge
Art as a Bridge to Empathy
At the heart of the project is the belief that art is a powerful vehicle for educational and emotional growth. The Carlotas approach empowers participants to explore their emotions through creative expression while engaging with elements of playfulness and dialogue. By incorporating art into every activity, the project supports an environment where people can shed preconceived judgments and truly “put themselves in another’s shoes.” This unique blend of creative learning and neuroscience-backed methods not only opens up dialogue but also allows individuals to reconnect with their inner selves and the diverse world around them… It’s a refreshing way to touch on those unconscious conflicts and collective perspectives commonly hidden beneath the surface.
Engaging Through Playfulness
The project does not work with rigid structures; instead, it promotes an engaging and dynamic experience that transforms learning into something playful and almost tangible. Its activities invite both children and adults to participate in workshops and role-playing sessions that spark curiosity and foster a sense of wonder. This casual, almost conversational approach makes it easier for participants to absorb complex ideas about respect and empathy. With conversations often pausing naturally—just like everyday dialogue—the project stands out for its ability to make educational interventions feel less formal and more like genuine life experiences, encouraging everyone to see learning as a shared journey.
Commitment to Social Change
Beyond the creative workshops and dynamic learning sessions, Carlotas nurtures a deep social commitment. The ExploreCarlotas Program, part of the Carlotas Brazil Institute, provides an ongoing platform for discussions about diversity, self-knowledge, respect, and empathy. This program reaches out to children, youth, their families, and educators, ensuring that the practice of empathy becomes a cornerstone within various communities. Funded by 10% of the revenue from Carlotas Arte e Cultura Ltda ME, the project demonstrates a formal and financial dedication to social causes, firmly rooting its methodologies in practical applications that drive transformative change in human relations.
Innovation in Educational Settings
Carlotas also has a significant impact within educational institutions. The initiative promotes dialogue about respect and empathy both inside and outside the classroom. With a curriculum that integrates creative learning with real-life scenarios, the project encourages students and teachers alike to engage with diversity and challenge conventional thinking. The blend of design thinking and creative methods sets up an educational environment where every opinion is valued and every emotion is recognized. This approach not only enhances soft skills but also champions a human-centric perspective in learning, where feelings and ideas flow as freely as words shared in casual conversation.
Project Impact
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Fostering creative learning and dialogue in schools and companies
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – Promoting equitable emotional expression and recognition across all participants
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Engaging diverse groups to build more empathic and respectful communities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Creating safe, inclusive spaces that empower individuals
Invitation to a World of Empathy
This manifesto is an open invitation to experience a world brimming with acceptance, respect, and empathy. It is a call to set aside judgments and to start understanding that the act of truly engaging with another person involves both listening and feeling deeply. The project emphasizes that empathy is more than understanding—it is about sharing in the joys, dreams, fears, and pains of others. Inspired by the boundless wonder of childhood, Carlotas champions an approach where every individual’s eyes can shine with openness and every heart can welcome a new perspective. In an era where headlines often overshadow genuine connection, this initiative offers a colorful path forward, uniting people through art, dialogue, and playful exploration, reminding everyone that the world, when seen with empathetic eyes, is indeed one.
