Community Engagement
Communication channels
We have been committed to local development and to valuing people since the beginning of our activities, and we maintain an open dialogue with the surrounding population through our communication channels:
Contact us
A toll-free number and a website are available to receive inquiries. We offer confidentiality and answer within seven business days.
- Toll-free number (daily from 7am to 8pm): 0800 729 0810
- Website Contact to Port of Açu
- Toll-free number (daily from 7am to 8pm): 0800 729 0810
- Website Contact to Port of Açu: https://canalconfidencial.com.br/falecomoportodoacu/
Local Development Council (CDL)
Created in 2018 to establish a space for dialogue with community members, the CDL is a voluntary forum for discussions to align strategic priorities for territorial development. The council is formed by representatives from various social groups in Northern Rio de Janeiro State, which hold co-creative meetings to discuss the main challenges for the region’s sustainable development, in line with the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and Port of Açu’s growth prospects.
The CDL gave rise to three main fronts:
Sustainable Entrepreneurship:
In 2021, this topic was addressed in a hackathon that explored sustainability innovation fronts proposed by Port of Açu, in addition to the launch of a course called Juventude Empreendedora (Entrepreneurial Youth). Learn more at: www.hackacu.com.br
Stronger Education:
Discussions are underway to develop a proposal for a 21st century school, and structuring aspects such as governance, relationships, physical and virtual spaces, learning methodologies, and tools are being considered.
Social Observatory:
The 1st Social Observatory Forum brought together professionals with observatory experience in Brazil to engage local agents and institutions, seeking to monitor environmental, social, and economic indicators, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Community Committees
These committees were created in 2015 to establish a permanent dialogue and relationship with communities through meetings with local representatives. Strategic topics for local development are discussed. Until 2021, meetings were held with representatives from 11 locations in the city of São João da Barra.
Portodos Tour Program
In partnership with the city of São João da Barra, our Portodos program aims to bring the local community closer to Açu through guided tours of port areas, promoting interaction and engagement. Since March 2020, due to COVID-19 measures, the experience has taken place remotely, replicating the guided tour to allow for a fun and interactive exploration of the various areas of the port complex.
Fishing Forums
Created in 2019 in collaboration with other companies installed in the port and leaders of fishing communities, the forums aim to promote integrated communication and engagement actions with local fishing villages, contributing to their institutional connections and social development. The purpose of these actions is to render the development of Açu compatible with fishing activities, which are of major socioeconomic importance for Northern Rio de Janeiro State.
Local Economic Development
In our commitment to regional development, we work to expand the employability of local workers and develop and hire suppliers in the region.
Employability Network
The Regional Employability Network aims to connect talent from the cities of São João da Barra and Campos dos Goytacazes to job opportunities in the port complex. The action has four pillars:
• Integrated registration of the resumes of local workers and communication of opportunities available at the Port of Açu Employability Network – trabalheconosco.vagas.com.br/rede-de-empregabilidade;
• Support for the selection processes of companies based in Port of Açu through selection and screening of resumes submitted to the Employability Network;
• Consolidation and monitoring of Port of Açu’s employability data so that professionals can be used in other projects in the port complex;
• Engagement and local development, started in 2019, with a round of lectures and training workshops in partnership with educational institutions in the region. We have created and developed the Conexão Açu (Açu Connections) project to connect students and professionals in the Port, Industrial, and Energy sectors.
- Integrated registration of the resumes of local workers and communication of opportunities available at the Port of Açu Employability Network – trabalheconosco.vagas.com.br/rede-de-empregabilidade;
- Support for the selection processes of companies based in Port of Açu through selection and screening of resumes submitted to the Employability Network;
- Consolidation and monitoring of Port of Açu’s employability data so that professionals can be used in other projects in the port complex;
- Engagement and local development, started in 2019, with a round of lectures and training workshops in partnership with educational institutions in the region. We have created and developed the Conexão Açu (Açu Connections) project to connect students and professionals in the Port, Industrial, and Energy sectors.
Program for the Development of Local Suppliers
From 2011 to 2017, in partnership with SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Services for Micro and Small Enterprises), we promoted actions to develop local suppliers through training and connections with the service network, in compliance with environmental permitting requirements.
Upon completion of this stage, the program became voluntary and, in 2020, we established a Working Group (WG) with the Economic Development Department of the city of São João da Barra. Through the WG, we carry out actions to approach, map, and train suppliers in the region, such as the Workshop for Training Local Suppliers led by the Industry Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN), the Opportunities in the Port of Açu Seminar, and the second edition of the event Semana Polo do Mar Conecta, all held in 2021.
To identify potential suppliers and ensure efficient hiring processes, we have an online platform to register suppliers and answer questions about the channel.
Support for Vulnerable Populations
Vila da Terra Resettlement
To support the standard of living of families who lived in properties that formed the Industrial District of São João da Barra (DISJB), together with the Industrial Development Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CODIN) and the city of São João da Barra, we developed the Vila da Terra resettlement program. We acquired a 908-hectare property to which 53 families were relocated, according to eligibility criteria defined by a social diagnostic prepared by CODIN. The lots — with areas equal to or greater than those previously occupied — were provided with furnished homes, fencing, access roads, drainage, public lighting, water and power distribution networks, sewage collection, and water wells. Additionally, social and agricultural technical support was offered and the adaptation and productivity conditions were monitored, including the development of activities and training courses. We also supported the creation of the Vila da Terra Rural Producers’ Association (APROVILA), assigning approximately 145 hectares and offering training actions and technical support to members, including support for marketing agricultural production.
Feira no Porto
To promote local family farming in marketing the agricultural products produced by the residents of the Vila da Terra Rural Resettlement, we have been developing the Feira no Port (Farmer’s Market at the Port ) Project since 2017. The project consists of selling the products at Port of Açu, which contributes to income generation for farmers and benefits the employees of companies installed at the port, who have the opportunity to consume agroecological products. In 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19, the farmers’ market was itinerant, with food delivered in open spaces. In April 2022, it returned to Port of Açu.
Port of Açu Volunteer Program
Created in 2017, the AbrAÇU volunteer program is supported by our employees and representatives of other companies located in the port. The program supports social, environmental, cultural, and sports actions led by social organizations in the region.
Humanitarian Actions Committee
In addition to establishing measures and procedures for the prevention, control, and response to emergencies related to COVID-19, we established the Humanitarian Actions Committee in partnership with Ferroport, Vast Infraestrutura, and Gás Natural Açu (GNA). This temporary committee has focused efforts on four fronts:
- Accurate and precise information, in simple language and accessible to the largest number of people
- Support for healthcare professionals
- Essential equipment for treating severe cases
- Special attention to the most vulnerable populations
In addition to establishing measures and procedures for the prevention, control, and response to emergencies related to COVID-19, we established the Humanitarian Actions Committee in partnership with Ferroport, Vast Infraestrutura, and Gás Natural Açu (GNA). This temporary committee has focused efforts on four fronts:
• Accurate and precise information, in simple language and accessible to the largest number of people;
• Support for healthcare professionals;
• Essential equipment for treating severe cases;
• Special attention to the most vulnerable populations.
Traffic Safety Program
To contribute to the reduction of traffic accidents in the port area, the Traffic Safety Program promotes education and awareness actions.
Through this initiative, Porto do Açu Operações invests in road infrastructure and internal control and prevention processes in collaboration with other terminals and companies in the complex, related agencies, and the government.
Learn about other topics related to People and Community
Our People
We work to attract and retain talent, develop and foster the health and well-being of our employees, and build a diverse and inclusive work environment through our Quality of Life Program and our Diversity and Inclusion Agenda.
