Through its program “Comunidades de Aprendizaje” (Learning Communities), the Brazilian cosmetics company, Natura, has committed to contributing to a social and educational renovation of public schools in Argentina.

The project was developed by CREA “Community of Research on Excellence for All” of the University of Barcelona and, in the case of Argentina, it has the support of the Natura Institute and CIPPEC (Centre of Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth). It involves students, professors and families.

To participate in the program, the school has to go through 5 phases:

• Increasing awareness (the strengths and weaknesses of the school are assessed)
• Decision making (the entire community decides to belong)
• Dreams (everyone shares the idea of school that they dream about for the future)
• Choosing priorities (the most relevant and desired dreams are defined)
• Planning (mixed commission are organized to make the dream come true)

The goal of Learning Communities is to promote a transformation that improves education’s quality and equity. One of the methods are the Literature Gatherings, where people share their enthusiasm about reading in order to motivate the activity, improve reading comprehension and encourage learning.

The program is fund by the private sector, through the purpose brand “Believe to see”, which includes non-cosmetic products sold by Natura consultants. The money is used to strengthen education projects together with non-profit organizations that aim at improving teaching.

This program is being developed in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.