984- Brazil- Fortaleza Re-ciclo Project

The city of Fortaleza, Brazil is a participant in a global network of local governments that partner with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) at Johns Hopkins to advance the practice of public innovation. Fortaleza is the fifth largest Brazilian city in terms of population (2.6 million) with the highest GDP in northeast Brazil. Sectoral strengths include technology, aerospace, maritime industries, and design. Its density rivals that of New York City, and the metropolitan area is home to approximately 4 million people across 19 municipalities.

In response to Fortaleza’s high inequality, the Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza (PMF) (i.e., City Hall) created the Innovation Lab of Fortaleza in 2022 -- “Labifor” – to develop and test innovative public policies. Using human centered design methodologies, Labifor pilots public policy solutions with partners across a range of urban concerns, including air quality, waste management, urban mobility, among others.

Labifor collaborates with other city departments to identify projects, with those departments taking responsibility for scaling successful pilots. Labifor has an active portfolio of about 20 projects in various policy areas, among them Fortaleza’s Project for Excellence in Solid Waste Management which, among other goals, aims to increase the city’s recycling rate to 50% by 2030 through its Re-ciclo program, the focus of this GHEFP placement.

Re-ciclo is a circular economy and inclusive production program that seeks to meet its ambitious recycling objective by formalizing the work of waste pickers (and the cooperative associations to which they belong) through accreditation, training, providing uniforms and equipment like cargo e-bikes, and remuneration for the safe collection of recyclable materials throughout the city. In Brazil, and in many large Latin American cities, waste pickers perform invisible, informal and precarious work selecting and reselling recyclable materials from household waste in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. The Re-ciclo program recognizes and elevates the contribution of the waste picker associations to advancing a healthier and more climate resilient city for all. In the first year of operation, Re-ciclo has supported the recycling of 400 tons of waste and generated over $90,800 (R$ 446,000.000) of income for participating waste pickers.

Solid waste management and its impact on public health is a key concern for Mayor José Sarto, a physician who has been mayor since 2021.

The GHEFP student will contribute to the Re-ciclo program by supporting Labifor in developing a system that can track the quantity and destination of materials being recycled by the waste picker associations in Fortaleza. The city is currently exploring the viability of issuing recycling credits, which are grants or certificates that represent a certain amount of recycling effort or achievement. In order for the recycling credit program to be feasible, the city must collect and report accurate data on the recycling process.

Given that the waste picker associations are the principal recyclers in Fortaleza, it is essential for the city to develop user-friendly tools that the waste picker associations can deploy to capture and report data on their collection and disposal of recyclable waste.

Specific activities include:
- Review the scientific and gray literature on topics related to recycling, including efforts that involve waste picker associations, effective and relevant data collection methods, and the design of sustainability incentive programs like recycling credits.
- Participant observation and stakeholder mapping of the city’s recycling continuum (associations, transporters, industry).
- Assist Labifor in developing a system that supports waste picker associations and city departments in collecting recycling data as a basis for issuing recycling credits. This includes carrying out human centered design activities with waste picker associations to co-create the data collection and tracking system.
- Assist Labifor in developing a monitoring system to assess performance of the recycling continuum based on the rate of recycling and identifying areas for improvement.

BCPI will provide training to the student in human centered design methods and Labifor will support the student in carrying out design thinking activities. Labifor uses design thinking tools to launch multi-sector, cross-agency pilot projects in partnership with community stakeholders to inform public policy.

The student will gain experience in addressing one of the city’s principal challenges under the supervision of city leaders at Labifor. The city’s innovation lab is a space to work collectively and creatively to bring the freshest and best ideas to solutions that center resident needs and expertise. Labifor operates in a physical space facing the city’s oceanfront that is open to the public for ideation workshops and other forms of stakeholder engagements through human-centered design methods. The young team’s ethos centers around their passion for improving their city through projects that give them joy on a day to day basis because they have people at the center. The team’s strength lies in its capacity to frame the problem, identify its characteristics, ideate possible solutions, and co-create with stakeholders.

A curious, creative and energetic student who would like to collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of data analysis, engineers, and social workers. They should be passionate about climate and health equity.

Training in policy-relevant research methods;
Data analysis skills;
Prior experience with or willingness to learn design thinking;
Excellent communication skills, including writing and speaking in clear, plain terms to engage multiple stakeholders;
Interest in climate, solid waste and public health;
Curiosity and cultural humility;
Ability to work independently and in teams.

Willingness to learn Portuguese

Name: Francisca Rojas, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, franrojas@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

As the Academic Director at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, I mentor students as a coach and advisor. I focus on setting expectations from both parties and agreeing on a style of communication and establishing regular check-ins. Through appreciative inquiry and active listening, I seek to understand what motivates the student, what we’re learning together, and how the mentor relationship can support their academic and professional ambitions.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

committed and clear, where they show initiative, work independently, ask questions, and openly share their progress and hurdles. I value authenticity, taking initiative, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

$1,364 (R$7,191)

This placement can provide a stipend and cover airfare costs.