FLUXO by CESAR School

FLUXO by CESAR School addresses the critical problem of educational and professional exclusion faced by socioeconomically vulnerable individuals. This program specifically targets the gap in access to quality education and career opportunities in the fields of Design and Computer Science. The scale of this problem extends from local communities in Brazil, where FLUXO operates, to a global context, affecting millions who are deprived of educational opportunities due to economic constraints.

Globally, disparities in education and technology access impact billions, with UNESCO estimating over 260 million children and youth out of school pre-pandemic, a number likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. In Brazil, socioeconomic factors significantly influence educational attainment, with many from disadvantaged backgrounds unable to pursue higher education due to financial constraints. FLUXO aims to revert this by providing scholarships that not only cover tuition but also foster an environment of support and innovation.

The initiative leverages CESAR School's expertise in technology and design education, offering a transformative pathway for individuals who, under normal circumstances, would not have the opportunity to enter these fields. By doing so, FLUXO contributes to reducing the digital divide, promoting social inclusion, and empowering communities through education that leads to high-value employment opportunities in the tech industry.

Factors contributing to the educational gap that FLUXO addresses include economic barriers, lack of access to quality education, and limited exposure to tech-oriented careers among the underprivileged. The program's solution is directly aligned with tackling these issues by providing comprehensive support to ensure not just access but success in their educational journey and beyond.

While specific local and global statistics regarding the exact number of people affected by these disparities are complex and evolving, the overarching trend indicates a significant portion of the global population is at a disadvantage due to economic, social, and educational inequities. FLUXO's role in addressing this challenge is a critical step towards creating more equitable access to education and career paths in high-demand sectors, thereby contributing to broader efforts to solve educational inequality and enhance social mobility on both a local and global scale.

FLUXO is a pioneering initiative by CESAR School, providing transformative scholarships in design and computer science to those from socioeconomically vulnerable backgrounds. This program goes beyond merely covering tuition fees; it fosters an environment of support and innovation. By leveraging a hands-on, project-based educational approach, FLUXO empowers students to change their lives and communities, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the tech field. Through this initiative, students gain both technical knowledge and essential skills for today's job market, embodying the intersection of education, technology, and social impact.

FLUXO operates through a Scholarship Policy that is guided by three main criteria:

1. Targeting Low-Income Individuals: The scholarships are specifically designed for people with low income. Statistically over 70% are black

2. Application Process: To compete for these scholarships, applicants must complete the registration form for Stage 1 of the CESAR School Entrance Exam. This stage applies to all admission modalities except for degree holders.

3. Merit-Based Selection: Individuals with the highest scores will be eligible for a 100% tuition fee waiver throughout their undergraduate studies. The scholarship needs to be renewed each semester.

The selection process is publicly announced through official notices. Interested individuals must provide supporting documents, including:

• Proof of monthly gross per capita family income (up to 3 minimum wages).

• Letter of Recommendation.

• High School Transcript with the academic performance coefficient.

• Certificates and statements verifying extracurricular activities.

• Identification documents:

  • CPF (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).

  • RG (Identity Card).

  • Proof of Residence.

  • Income Tax Return Declaration (IRPF/IRPJ).

Beneficiaries must maintain good academic performance to retain the scholarship. At the end of each academic semester, scholarship recipients must demonstrate continued compliance with the requirements defined in the Edital (official notice) and CESAR School’s internal regulations related to academic performance and attendance. Additionally, they must be in good standing with CESAR School, including financial obligations. Each scholarship recipient receives a “Bolsista Manual” (Scholar’s Handbook) containing the rules for granting and maintaining the scholarship.

To sustain the program, in addition to CESAR’s financial contributions, a culture of donation is being promoted. Individuals can donate starting from 30 Brazilian reais on the FLUXO website, while corporations are encouraged to contribute through three tiers:

• Fluxo Ouro: Values from R$100,000 to R$499,000

• Fluxo Platina: Values from R$500,000 to R$999,000

• Fluxo Diamante: Values starting from R$1 million

Each donation quota is incentivized with corresponding benefits from CESAR, which vary from acknowledgment mentions to logo promotion in media and discounts on institution courses.

FLUXO stands out as a social technology in response to socioeconomic exclusion in access to higher education. With clear criteria, the selection process aims to include individuals with low income, promoting diversity and inclusion. Positive outcomes extend beyond the classroom, as evidenced by testimonials from Carlos Eduardo and Nicole Victory. There is intention and potential for the program to grow, and to maintain sustainability, FLUXO relies on CESAR’s revenue and encourages donations from both individuals and corporations to expand support for more socioeconomically vulnerable talents

Socioeconomically vulnerable individuals are those living in conditions that limit their access to resources, opportunities, and services, including quality education and employment. They may come from low-income families, marginalized communities, or environments where opportunities for advancement are scarce. These individuals face significant barriers, including financial constraints, lack of access to quality educational institutions, and limited exposure to career pathways in high-growth sectors. FLUXO aims to directly address these challenges by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and enter into rewarding careers.

Socioeconomically vulnerable individuals are those living in conditions that limit their access to resources, opportunities, and services, including quality education and employment. They may come from low-income families, marginalized communities, or environments where opportunities for advancement are scarce. These individuals face significant barriers, including financial constraints, lack of access to quality educational institutions, and limited exposure to career pathways in high-growth sectors. FLUXO aims to directly address these challenges by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and enter into rewarding careers.

The results of the program, for the scholarship recipients, resonate beyond the classroom, as exemplified by the testimony of Carlos Araujo, a 17-year-old Design student:

"CESAR School was always a distant dream for me, mainly because I couldn’t afford it; it was a reality completely different from mine. Through the scholarship program, I not only fulfilled a dream but also something that could improve not only my future but also that of my family.

It’s very important to me because I am the first in my family to attend college, especially as a young Black person coming from a public educational institution.

The fact that CESAR opened a door for me gave me hope to grow both as an individual and as a competent and active professional."

Nicole Victoria Marinho da Silva, a 17-year-old Computer Science student, adds:

"The scholarship offered by CESAR School is crucial for me, not only because it allows me to pursue what I’ve always wanted but also because it introduces me to a diverse and innovative environment.

From the first week of classes, it was clear that students are given a central role in the undergraduate program, and the benefits of the maker culture are evident. Another highlight is the numerous initiatives introduced to us in the first semester, covering a wide range of topics, allowing us to go far beyond what is taught in the classroom."

Our team's unique connection to the communities we aim to serve stems from our diverse backgrounds and shared experiences with socioeconomic challenges. Many of us have overcome similar barriers to access education and employment opportunities. This personal proximity ensures our solution is not only designed with empathy but is also deeply informed by the real needs and aspirations of our target population. We actively engage with these communities, incorporating their feedback and ideas into the development and implementation of our program, ensuring it remains aligned with their needs and ambitions.

This team is a powerful combination of diverse experiences and skills, ready to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation and inclusion. 

Fabiana Andrade, a leader in Culture & ESG at CESAR, brings over 20 years of experience in innovation and corporate communication, with a special focus on social and environmental inclusion. Her background in Journalism and postgraduate studies in Strategic Transformation complement her expertise. Iron Santos, an ESG analyst at CESAR, is an experienced product designer with over five years of UX experience. His background in Computer Forensics and Artificial Intelligence adds a valuable layer of technical insight to his projects, especially in diversity and inclusion issues. 

Roberta Fernandes, with over 30 years of experience in corporate communication, brings a unique approach as a dream planter, focusing on Organizational Culture, Diversity, and Sustainability. Her passion for human connection drives her work towards a more inclusive and sustainable work environment. 

Raquel Medeiros, a Culture and Diversity coordinator at a technology company, combines her background in Administration with experience in Human Resources to lead training, development, and recruitment initiatives with a focus on diversity. Her specialization in TEAL reinforces her commitment to a holistic approach to organizational management. 

Diogo Araújo, a biologist and environmental scientist, brings a unique perspective to biotic analysis and environmental compliance. His experience as an environmental consultant on social and environmental impact projects, makes him a valuable asset as an ESG analyst at CESAR.

Together, these professionals form a multidisciplinary and committed team, capable of tackling complex challenges with creativity, empathy, and technical expertise.

FLUXO has a strong infrastructure capable of awarding scholarships to the first 30 beneficiaries, supported by donations from 20 individual donors and 10 corporate donors. It operates under a management council and a regulation that is annually updated before each candidate selection event, ensuring transparency, effective resource management, and the sustainable, impactful operation of the program.

We are applying to SOLVE with the aim of expanding our reach and strengthening our impact. We recognize that there are various financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market barriers that we face in our work to promote inclusion and sustainable development. We believe that SOLVE can help us overcome these barriers in several ways.

Firstly, by connecting with the SOLVE network, we hope to learn from the experiences and best practices of other organizations working in similar contexts. This will allow us to enhance our strategies and approaches to reach and serve vulnerable and diverse individuals more effectively.

Additionally, we acknowledge the importance of developing strategic partnerships to expand our resources and capabilities. Participation in SOLVE can connect us with potential partners who can provide financial, technical, and other support to scale FLUXO. We are especially interested in exploring collaboration opportunities with organizations that can offer expertise in technology, project management, fundraising, and advocacy.

By participating in SOLVE, we also hope to strengthen our credibility and visibility on the global stage. This will help us attract the attention of potential international donors and mobilize resources to support our mission. We are committed to making the most of this opportunity to expand the reach and impact of FLUXO, ensuring that we can continue to make a difference in the communities we serve.

We have a headquarters in Manaus, in the Amazon region, and aspire to work with and include indigenous peoples as beneficiaries of FLUXO. These actions require study and exchange of experiences with other organizations. We believe that participating in SOLVE will provide us with knowledge and new perspectives to expand FLUXO.

With this, we aim to develop both the Investment Thesis and Theory of Change for FLUXO, along with an app to manage scholarships and communicate directly with scholars. This strategy underscores our commitment to expanding the reach and impact of FLUXO, ensuring that we are prepared to navigate the complexities of international philanthropy.

FLUXO stands out through its unique approach of integrating scholarships in tech and design with comprehensive support for socioeconomically vulnerable individuals. Unlike traditional educational programs, FLUXO actively works to break down barriers to access, fostering an environment of innovation and inclusion. This model not only addresses immediate educational needs but also aims to reshape the market by diversifying the tech field and creating a more inclusive landscape. FLUXO has the potential to inspire similar changes across the industry, promoting broader social and economic impacts.

FLUXO’s theory of change is founded on the premise that targeted support in the form of scholarships for tech and design education for socioeconomically vulnerable individuals can directly enhance their educational and career opportunities. By removing financial barriers and providing a nurturing environment, FLUXO aims to produce immediate outputs such as increased enrollment in tech and design courses, improved skills among participants, and higher completion rates of educational programs. These outputs are expected to lead to long-term outcomes like greater employability in the tech industry, increased income levels for beneficiaries, and ultimately, a contribution to a more diverse and innovative tech landscape. This theory is underpinned by evidence from existing research on educational interventions, data from pilot programs, and feedback from targeted communities, which collectively demonstrate the effectiveness of scholarship programs in facilitating access to education and employment for underrepresented groups.

FLUXO's impact goals focus on increasing access to education and employment in the tech and design sectors for socioeconomically vulnerable individuals. Progress is measured through key indicators such as the number of scholarships awarded, completion rates of educational programs, employment rates of graduates, and diversity metrics within the tech industry. These indicators align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically quality education and reduced inequalities. Regular assessments, feedback from participants, and partnership outcomes with tech companies help monitor and adjust strategies to ensure the transformative impact of the initiative.

The core technology powering FLUXO involves an innovative platform that integrates advanced software solutions and digital communication tools. This technology facilitates scholarship management, learning resources distribution, and direct engagement with participants through apps and web-based systems. By leveraging data analytics, FLUXO can tailor educational content, track progress, and measure impact, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience. This approach combines modern technology with evidence-based educational methodologies to significantly enhance access and outcomes for its target population.

FLUXO, as an educational fund, also qualifies as a social technology, both in terms of methodology and application, and in its impact on users.

Fluxo team is composed of more than 20 professionals. These individuals work at CESAR in various areas, such as finance, accounting, communication, pedagogy, and socio-environmental impact. All these people dedicate part of their working hours to the construction and operation of Fluxo. An equal number of people occasionally work providing support in expertise such as design and data management. In addition to these individuals, there is the Educational Fund Management Committee, whose purpose is to guide and support decisions related to the management of the Fund's assets, such as defining investment strategies (short, medium, and long term) and monitoring profitability.

Fluxo began development in 2020 with the initial investments from CESAR School.

CESAR is committed to transforming organizations and people's lives by addressing systemic societal issues through education, innovation, and technology. It has initiatives and signed agreements such as the Racial Equity Pact Brazil, United Nations Global Compact, Women on Board, UN Women, Inclusion and Diversity Committee, Environmental Regeneration Committee, and it integrates the Free Energy Market.

By early 2023, the organization had impacted over 800 people in 20 Brazilian states in the areas of Design, Python, C#, and Ruby on Rails. The main actions for this were the Education & Inclusion Program: Soft Skills Track, CESAR 50+ Program, Inova.Ação Afro, Inova.Camp Afro, and Inova.Ação PCD.

FLUXO is one of CESAR's main solutions to further promote diversity and inclusion in innovation and technology. It trains people in socioeconomically vulnerable conditions in the fields of Design, Computer Science, and Information Technology Management.

Hackathons are also held for teams to create and develop technical solutions or prototypes in a short period of time, using an innovative methodology in a competitive and collaborative environment. Lasting 20 hours each, every edition impacts 60 people. The target audience of this solution includes women, black and brown people, PWDs, LGBTQIAP+ individuals, and People over 50, with affirmative policies for Indigenous and Quilombola Communities.

As an organization, in 2018, CESAR began the journey to measure its socio-environmental impacts through the B System methodology, BIA - B Impact Assessment.

CESAR employees have an average age of 33 years, and 66% are part of minority groups. Technical leadership is composed of 26% women and 32% black individuals, middle management is led by 61% women and 29% black individuals, while senior management comprises 56% women and 24% black individuals. In total, 16% identify as LGBTQIA+ and 7% as PWDs.

Diversity and inclusion in CESAR's products, services, and management are a premise. The organization seeks to promote a diverse workforce and sets explicit goals to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in staff and leadership annually. This goal is monitored through regular reviews and internal audits of hiring practices and workforce composition.

CESAR actively recruits from a broad demographic and provides extensive training to all employees on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. Job postings are disseminated through platforms that reach diverse communities, and bias-removing software is used in resume screening.

Inclusive policies are established to ensure equitable treatment and advancement opportunities. These include flexible working conditions, parental leave, and accommodations for disabilities

Fluxo's business model centers around a transformative scholarship program designed to mitigate educational and employment disparities among socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This model is sustainable and impactful, leveraging partnerships, donor contributions, and alignments with educational and technological sectors.

Target Audience: Fluxo targets low-income individuals, many of whom are black, who traditionally have less access to quality higher education and career opportunities in high-demand sectors.

Application and Selection Process:

Candidates must register and pass the first phase of the CESAR School entrance exam.

Selection is merit-based, with individuals scoring highest receiving full tuition waivers throughout their undergraduate studies.

The scholarship must be renewed each semester, meeting established criteria.

Documentation and Proof:

Applicants are required to provide supporting documents such as income proof, recommendation letter, academic transcript, and identification documents.

Scholarship Maintenance:

Beneficiaries must maintain good academic performance and adhere to CESAR School's internal standards to continue receiving support.

Funding and Sustainability:

The program is funded by contributions from CESAR and donations from individuals and corporations, which can donate through three levels of support: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

A culture of donation is promoted to sustain the program, allowing for scalability and continuity.

How we provide value

Value to Beneficiaries:

Fluxo provides full tuition scholarships in high-demand fields such as Design, Computer Science, and Information Technology Management, along with comprehensive support services including mentoring, career counseling, and internship opportunities. These are delivered through a merit-based selection process and an educational framework that employs a hands-on, project-based learning approach aligned with industry demands. This model addresses the critical barrier of affordability and aligns education with marketable skills, meeting the urgent needs of individuals from low-income backgrounds who seek improved employment prospects and economic upliftment.

Value to Donors:

Donors to Fluxo contribute to a program with direct social impact, bridging significant gaps in education and employment opportunities. Fluxo offers its donors recognition and branding opportunities, along with potential tax benefits, depending on the level of contribution. The program engages donors through active communication, providing updates on impacts and success stories, and maintains transparency in fund usage and outcomes. This appeals to donors interested in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) who value clear impacts that align with their goals and enhance their public image, as well as those seeking financial incentives like tax deductions.

Broader Community Impact:

By developing a skilled workforce, Fluxo enhances local economies and supports technological advancement. The scholarships help build a more inclusive workforce, vital for regions requiring economic diversification and innovation. Furthermore, Fluxo's collaborations with local businesses ensure that the education provided is directly applicable to existing market needs, thus enhancing job placement rates and fostering economic development. The broader community benefits from economic growth stimulated by a more educated population, which in turn contributes to social stability and prosperity.

Fluxo's plan for achieving financial sustainability so far is centered on diversifying its revenue streams and building a solid financial foundation that ensures long-term viability and growth. The success in raising funds, coupled with impactful educational outcomes positions Fluxo favorably for future growth and continued achievement of its mission. Revenue Generation Strategies so far:

Donations and Grants: Fluxo utilizes a tiered donation system to encourage both individual and corporate contributions, offering different levels of recognition and benefits. Additionally, Fluxo actively seeks and secures grants from foundations that support educational initiatives, providing essential funding for specific projects and operational costs.

Service Contracts: Fluxo's financial model benefits significantly from CESAR's commitment to responsible investing. Specifically, CESAR allocates 20% of its ESG investments directly to support Fluxo. This allocation is part of a broader strategy to enhance CESAR’s social impact and integrate sustainability into its core financial decisions.

Partnerships and Collaborations: By partnering with other educational and technology  institutions, Fluxo not only gains financial backing but also receives institutional support, crucial for the execution of its educational program.

Endowment Fund: Considering the establishment of an endowment fund as a long-term financial strategy, this fund would allow Fluxo to generate consistent returns, creating a sustainable financial resource for ongoing operations.

Investment Thesis

Fluxo’s financial sustainability plan is heavily predicated on the development of a robust Investment Thesis, which is critical for enhancing relationships with potential donors and improving the transparency and detailing of financial flows. This Investment Thesis is designed not only to attract funding but also to build trust by clearly communicating how investments are managed and utilized to create social value.

Key Aspects of the Investment Thesis:

• Clear Value Proposition

• Transparency in Financial Management

• Enhanced Donor Engagement

• Strategic Growth and Scalability

Evidence of Success and Plans for Enhancement

To date, Fluxo’s strategy has led to significant funding successes and high-impact educational outcomes, such as a 100% job placement rate, an 87% student retention rate, and the tripling of graduates’ incomes within 12 months after-graduation. These successes underline the effectiveness of Fluxo’s approach and the potential for greater impact with increased funding.

Moving forward, the development of the Investment Thesis will be pivotal in securing new funding sources and enhancing relationships with existing donors. By detailing financial flows and the impact of contributions, Fluxo aims to set international standards in transparency and effectiveness in the non-profit sector, making it a prime candidate for increased support from donors who value clarity and detailed reporting.