RIO CARNAVAL

LIESA - Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro (

Civil society organization

)

#SDGAction61493

Description

The objective of the partnership led by LIESA for Rio Carnaval is to organize, finance, and globally position the world’s largest cultural festival as a platform for economic development, cultural preservation, and international engagement. At its core, the initiative aims to: Deliver the Rio Carnival (Grupo Especial) with operational excellence at the Sambadrome, ensuring high-quality artistic production, logistics, and audience experience. Preserve and promote Brazil’s intangible cultural heritage, safeguarding samba school traditions, community knowledge, and creative expression rooted in Rio’s territories. Generate economic impact and jobs, activating value chains across tourism, creative industries, hospitality, and services. Expand international visibility and soft power, positioning Rio Carnaval as a global cultural asset through partnerships with media, tourism bodies, and multilateral actors such as UN Tourism. Structure sustainable financing and commercial models, integrating sponsorships, broadcasting rights, ticketing, and public investment to ensure long-term viability. Advance sustainability and social inclusion agendas, including recycling initiatives, community engagement, and partnerships focused on environmental responsibility and social impact. In practical terms, this partnership transforms Rio Carnival from a major event into a strategic platform for culture, diplomacy, tourism, and inclusive economic growth, leveraging its global reach to connect local communities with international opportunities.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

The implementation of Rio Carnival by LIESA is based on a hybrid governance and execution model that integrates centralized coordination with decentralized creative production, enabling the delivery of one of the most complex cultural events in the world. 1. Centralized Governance with Distributed Execution LIESA operates as the central coordinating authority, defining regulations, timelines, and operational standards, while the 12 samba schools independently design and execute their artistic projects. This model ensures both creative autonomy and system-wide coherence, balancing competition with coordination. 2. Industrialized Creative Production Model The initiative leverages the Cidade do Samba as a large-scale production hub, where all schools develop floats, costumes, and scenography. This enables an industrial approach to cultural production, combining craftsmanship, engineering, logistics, and artistic direction within a shared infrastructure. 3. Structured Competitive Framework The parades are organized under a highly regulated competition system, including randomized parade order, strict time controls, and standardized evaluation criteria. This ensures fairness, comparability, and performance optimization, driving continuous improvement across all participants. 4. Multi-Stakeholder Financing Architecture Implementation is sustained through a blended financial model that integrates sponsorships, broadcasting rights, ticketing systems, and public investment. LIESA centrally manages these flows, redistributing resources to ensure operational viability and high production standards across all schools. 5. End-to-End Operational Control LIESA oversees the full lifecycle of the event, including ticketing, infrastructure, logistics, safety, media coordination, and audience management. During the parades, real-time coordination ensures adherence to schedules, performance flow, and technical requirements at scale. 6. Technical Evaluation and Accountability System A formal judging methodology evaluates performances across multiple criteria (e.g., harmony, evolution, costumes, narrative), supported by strict protocols such as randomized judge allocation, sealed scoring systems, and mandatory written justifications for all scores. This guarantees transparency, credibility, and technical rigor . 7. Community-Centered Implementation Despite its scale and sophistication, the model is rooted in community engagement. Samba schools function as local cultural institutions, mobilizing thousands of participants. This ensures social inclusion, cultural continuity, and grassroots ownership of the initiative. 8. Continuous Cycle and Knowledge Transfer The implementation follows a cyclical model, where each edition informs the next through evaluation, financial reconciliation, and institutional learning. LIESA’s methodology has also been replicated in other cities and countries, demonstrating its scalability and global relevance. In practice, this methodology transforms Rio Carnival into a fully integrated system of culture, economy, and governance, where artistic excellence, operational precision, and community engagement are aligned to deliver impact at both local and global levels.

Coordination mechanisms

Operationally, LIESA is responsible for: Defining and enforcing technical regulations for the parades, ensuring fairness, competitive balance, and adherence to strict timing and performance standards. Managing contracts and partnerships with sponsors, broadcasters, ticketing platforms, and public authorities, representing all affiliated samba schools collectively. Overseeing ticket sales systems, with transparency mechanisms monitored by public institutions such as the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Coordinating full infrastructure of the Sambadrome, including logistics, staging, safety, and audience operations. Supporting additional leagues and groups, including Série A (Access Group) and children’s samba schools, ensuring system-wide integration. A key coordination asset is the Cidade do Samba, a centralized production hub created in partnership with the City of Rio de Janeiro, where all Special Group schools develop floats and costumes. LIESA manages this space, enabling industrial-scale coordination of creative production. From a technical evaluation standpoint, LIESA also coordinates a formal judging system, composed of 54 judges across 9 categories (e.g., samba-enredo, harmony, evolution, costumes, floats). The process follows strict protocols, including random allocation of judging positions, sealed scoring systems, and confidentiality rules to ensure integrity and impartiality. Finally, coordination extends beyond Rio through institutional replication and influence, as LIESA’s governance model has inspired similar samba leagues in Brazil and internationally, reinforcing its role as a global reference in cultural event management.

Governed

The coordination of Rio Carnival is led by LIESA, which acts as the central governance body representing the 12 samba schools of the Special Group. Established in 1984, LIESA has developed a highly structured and institutionalized coordination model that integrates artistic, operational, financial, and regulatory dimensions. At the governance level, coordination is ensured through an Executive Board (2024–2027 term) composed of specialized directorates, including Carnival, Finance, Culture, Communication, Legal, Institutional Relations, Production, and International Relations. This structure enables clear allocation of responsibilities and centralized decision-making across all aspects of the event.

Evaluation

Critical impact assessment for the Rio Carnival initiative coordinated by LIESA is based on a combination of quantitative indicators, governance mechanisms, environmental metrics, and social impact evaluation frameworks aligned with international sustainability standards. The initiative has progressively evolved from isolated environmental actions into a structured sustainability management system aligned with the ISO 20121 framework for sustainable events and the UN 2030 Agenda. Key impact assessment methodologies include: Environmental Metrics and Waste Management Indicators The initiative measures the collection, segregation, and recycling of waste streams generated during Carnival operations, including textiles, aluminum, plastics, glass, organic waste, and cooking oil. In 2025 alone, the sustainability system recorded: 23 tons of textile waste collected, 16.4 tons of glass, 7.6 tons of aluminum, 9 tons of organic waste, and additional recyclable materials processed through circular economy partnerships. Longitudinal Comparative Monitoring LIESA tracks annual progress through comparative assessments between Carnival editions (2023–2025), enabling the evaluation of scaling capacity, operational improvements, and diversification of recyclable material streams. Carbon and Climate Accountability The initiative is implementing greenhouse gas inventories using internationally recognized methodologies (GHG Protocol) and aims to neutralize direct event emissions through certified carbon credits and decarbonization plans. Social Inclusion and Workforce Indicators The project evaluates its social impact through indicators related to: worker reintegration, women’s inclusion, professional training, decent work conditions, and engagement with waste-picker cooperatives and vulnerable communities. Targets include training 10,000 people by 2030 and supporting the inclusion of 1,000 women into the labor market. Education and Capacity-Building Assessment The initiative monitors participation in technical training, environmental education, and professional qualification programs developed in partnership with educational institutions such as Universidade de Vassouras. Stakeholder Engagement and Governance Evaluation LIESA measures partner participation and institutional engagement across suppliers, sponsors, public authorities, and service providers, integrating sustainability requirements into operational contracts and governance structures. Accessibility and Inclusion Metrics Beginning in 2026, the initiative also incorporates accessibility indicators, including audiodescription technologies, sign-language translation, and disability support systems across the Sambadrome operations. Legacy and Territorial Impact Assessment Beyond the event itself, impact is evaluated through urban revitalization projects, community engagement, reforestation initiatives, and the strengthening of samba schools as long-term cultural and social institutions within their territories. Importantly, the initiative recognizes that critical assessment must go beyond celebratory metrics. Ongoing challenges include labor precarity within parts of the creative production chain, unequal access to economic opportunities, waste management complexity at mega-event scale, and the need for stronger year-round social protection mechanisms for cultural workers. By combining measurable indicators, external certifications, stakeholder participation, and continuous improvement processes, Rio Carnival is progressively building one of the most comprehensive sustainability and impact assessment systems within the global cultural events sector.

Partners

Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro (LIESA), UN Tourism (United Nations World Tourism Organization), Globo (Grupo Globo), Ticketmaster, Mercado Pago (Mercado Pago Digital Payments Platform), Brahma (Ambev Beer Brand), Superbet, 99Food (Food Delivery Platform), AfroReggae (AfroReggae Cultural Group), Embratur (Brazilian Tourist Board), Ministry of Culture (Brazil), Federal Government of Brazil, Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Fecomércio RJ (Rio de Janeiro Federation of Commerce in Goods, Services and Tourism), Sesc (Social Service of Commerce), Senac (National Commercial Training Service)

SDGS & Targets

Goal 2

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

2.1

By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

2.1.1

Prevalence of undernourishment

2.1.2

Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)

2.2

By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

2.2.1

Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age

2.2.2

Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight)

2.2.3

Prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15 to 49 years, by pregnancy status (percentage)

2.2.4

Prevalence of minimum dietary diversity, by population group (children aged 6 to 9 months and non-pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years)

2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

2.3.1

Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

2.3.2

Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status

2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

2.4.1

Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

2.5

By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed

2.5.1

Number of (a) plant and (b) animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium- or long-term conservation facilities

2.5.2

Proportion of local and transboundary breeds classified as being at risk of extinction

2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

2.a.1

The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

2.a.2

Total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) to the agriculture sector

2.b

Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

2.b.1

Agricultural export subsidies

2.c

Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility

2.c.1

Indicator of food price anomalies

Goal 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

5.1

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

5.1.1

Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non‑discrimination on the basis of sex

5.2

Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

5.2.1

Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age

5.2.2

Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence

5.3

Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation

5.3.1

Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18

5.3.2

Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age

5.4

Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate

5.4.1

Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location

5.5

Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

5.5.1

Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments

5.5.2

Proportion of women in managerial positions

5.6

Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

5.6.1

Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care

5.6.2

Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men aged 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education

5.a

Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws

5.a.1

(a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure

5.a.2

Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control

5.b

Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women

5.b.1

Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex

5.c

Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

5.c.1

Proportion of countries with systems to track and make public allocations for gender equality and women’s empowerment

Goal 6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

6.1.1

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

6.2

By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

6.2.1

Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

6.3.1

Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

6.3.2

Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

6.4.1

Change in water-use efficiency over time

6.4.2

Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

6.5.1

Degree of integrated water resources management

6.5.2

Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

6.6.1

Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

6.a.1

Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

6.b.1

Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Goal 8

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

8.1

Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

8.1.1

Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

8.2

Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.2.1

Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person

8.3

Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.3.1

Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex

8.4

Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead

8.4.1

Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

8.4.2

Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

8.5

By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

8.5.1

Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities

8.5.2

Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

8.6

By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

8.6.1

Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training

8.7

Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms

8.7.1

Proportion and number of children aged 5‑17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age

8.8

Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment

8.8.1

Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status

8.8.2

Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status

8.9

By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

8.9.1

Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate

8.9.2

Employed persons in the tourism industries

8.10

Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

8.10.1

(a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults

8.10.2

Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider

8.a

Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries

8.a.1

Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements

8.b

By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization

8.b.1

Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy

Goal 9

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

9.1

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.1.1

Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road

9.1.2

Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport

9.2

Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

9.2.1

Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita

9.2.2

Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment

9.3

Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets

9.3.1

Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added, based on (a) international classification and (b) national classifications

9.3.2

Proportion of small-scale industries with a loan or line of credit

9.4

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

9.4.1

CO₂emission per unit of value added

9.5

Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

9.5.1

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

9.5.2

Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants

9.a

Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States

9.a.1

Total official international support (official development assistance plus other official flows) to infrastructure

9.b

Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

9.b.1

Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added

9.c

Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

9.c.1

Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology

Goal 10

Reduce inequality within and among countries

10.1

By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average

10.1.1

Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40 per cent of the population and the total population

10.2

By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

10.2.1

Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

10.3

Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

10.3.1

Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed within the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

10.4

Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality

10.4.1

Labour share of GDP

10.4.2

Redistributive impact of fiscal policy on the Gini index

10.5

Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations

10.5.1

Financial Soundness Indicators

10.6

Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions

10.6.1

Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations

10.7

Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies

10.7.1

Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of montlhy income earned in country of destination

10.7.2

Number of countries with migration policies that facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people

10.7.3

Number of people who died or disappeared in the process of migration towards an international destination

10.7.4

Proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin

10.a

Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements

10.a.1

Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff

10.b

Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes

10.b.1

Total resource flows for development (e.g. official development assistance, foreign direct investment and other flows)

10.c

By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent

10.c.1

Remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted

Goal 12

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.1

Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries

12.1.1

Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production

12.2

By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.2.1

Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

12.2.2

Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

12.3

By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

12.3.1

(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index

12.4

By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

12.4.1

Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement

12.4.2

(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment

12.5

By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.5.1

National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

12.6

Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

12.6.1

Number of companies publishing sustainability reports

12.7

Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.7.1

Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

12.8

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

12.8.1

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

12.a

Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

12.a.1

Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)

12.b

Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

12.b.1

Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability

12.c

Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities

12.c.1

Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP

Goal 13

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

13.1

Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.1.1

Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

13.1.2

Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

13.1.3

Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

13.2

Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

13.2.1

Number of countries with reports under the Paris Agreement, as submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

13.2.2

Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.3.1

13.a

Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

13.a.1

Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

13.b.1

Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with reports under the Paris Agreement, as submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Goal 16

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

16.1

Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

16.1.1

Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age

16.1.2

Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause

16.1.3

Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months

16.1.4

Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live after dark

16.2

End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

16.2.1

Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month

16.2.2

Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation

16.2.3

Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

16.3

Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

16.3.1

Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms

16.3.2

Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population

16.3.3

Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism

16.4

By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime

16.4.1

Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars)

16.4.2

Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced or established by a competent authority in line with international instruments

16.5

Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

16.5.1

Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months

16.5.2

Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months

16.6

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

16.6.1

Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar)

16.6.2

Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services

16.7

Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

16.7.1

Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups

16.7.2

Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, by sex, age, disability and population group

16.8

Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance

16.8.1

Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations

16.9

By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration

16.9.1

Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age

16.10

Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

16.10.1

Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months

16.10.2

Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information

16.a

Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime

16.a.1

Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles

16.b

Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

16.b.1

Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

Goal 17

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

17.1

Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

17.1.1

Total government revenue as a proportion of GDP, by source

17.1.2

Proportion of domestic budget funded by domestic taxes

17.2

Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments, including the commitment by many developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/GNI to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries; ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries

17.2.1

Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries, as a proportion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee donors’ gross national income (GNI)

17.3

Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

17.3.1

Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources

17.3.2

Volume of remittances (in United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP

17.4

Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress

17.4.1

Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods, services and primary income

17.5

Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries

17.5.1

Number of countries that adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for developing countries, including the least developed countries

17.6

Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism

17.6.1

Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, by speed

17.7

Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed

17.7.1

Total amount of funding for developing and developed countries to promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies

17.8

Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology

17.8.1

Proportion of individuals using the Internet

17.9

Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation

17.9.1

Dollar value of official development assistance committed to developing countries

17.10

Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda

17.10.1

Worldwide weighted tariff-average

17.11

Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020

17.11.1

Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global exports

17.12

Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access

17.12.1

Weighted average tariffs faced by developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing States

17.13

Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence

17.13.1

Macroeconomic Dashboard

17.14

Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

17.14.1

Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development

17.15

Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development

17.15.1

Extent of use of country-owned results frameworks and planning tools by providers of development cooperation

17.16

Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

17.16.1

Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

17.17

Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

17.17.1

Amount in United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships for infrastructure

17.18

By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts

17.18.1

Statistical capacity indicators

17.18.2

Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

17.18.3

Number of countries with a national statistical plan that is fully funded and under implementation, by source of funding

17.19

By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

17.19.1

Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen statistical capacity in developing countries

17.19.2

Proportion of countries that (a) have conducted at least one population and housing census in the last 10 years; and (b) have achieved 100 per cent birth registration and 80 per cent death registration

SDG 14 targets covered

Name	Description

Deliverables & Timeline

30 September, 2026

Deliverable 1 — Carnival Fashion and Creative Economy Activation Strengthen the connection between fashion, culture, and Carnival through talks, panels, exhibitions, and participation in international and national events, including initiatives such as Rio

31 January, 2027

Deliverable 2 — Capacity-Building for Women and LGBTQIAPN+ Communities Develop continuous training and professional development opportunities focused on fashion, costume-making, artistic production, styling, and creative entrepreneurship, prioritizing wom

28 February, 2027

Deliverable 3 — Circular Economy and Textile Waste Management Implement and expand waste management initiatives focused on textile recovery, costume reuse, upcycling, and circular economy practices within Rio Carnival, reducing environmental impacts while

Resources mobilized

In-kind contribution

Use of the Cidade do Samba production complex, Sambadrome facilities, workshop spaces, and partner venues for training activities, exhibitions, talks, and sustainability operations.

Staff / Technical expertise

Engagement of samba school artisans, costume designers, sustainability teams, educators, cultural producers, recyclers, and community-based creative workers involved in the Rio Carnival production chain.

Other, please specify

Partnerships and Institutional Support Collaboration with samba schools, educational institutions, sustainability organizations, fashion and cultural networks, public authorities, and private sector partners supporting implementation and visibility.

Partnership Progress

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Action Network

Timeline

07 February 2026 (start date)

28 February 2027 (date of completion)

Entity

N/A

SDGs

2 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 16 17

Region

Latin America and the Caribbean

Geographical coverage

RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL

Other beneficiaries

Annually, the 12 Special Group samba schools mobilize approximately 35,000 parade participants at the Sambadrome (Marquês de Sapucaí), including musicians, dancers, performers, artisans, choreographers, and community members. However, the initiative’s impact extends far beyond the official parades. Throughout the year, thousands of professionals work in the Cidade do Samba and production warehouses (“barracões”), including seamstresses, sculptors, welders, painters, carpenters, designers, engineers, audiovisual teams, logistics staff, and cultural producers responsible for creating floats, costumes, and large-scale artistic installations. Rio Carnival also generates significant employment opportunities across tourism, hospitality, transportation, food services, retail, security, cleaning operations, and the informal economy. Annual estimates indicate that Carnival activities generate at least 16,000 temporary jobs in the State of Rio de Janeiro, although the total number of workers connected to the broader production chain is substantially higher when considering outsourced teams, permanent workers, and informal labor. The event additionally mobilizes major public operations. For example, the municipal cleaning operation associated with Carnival activities involves more than 13,700 workers annually, including services connected to the Sambadrome and surrounding urban areas. Economically, Rio Carnival functions as one of Brazil’s most important cultural economies. In recent years, the broader Carnival ecosystem in Rio de Janeiro has generated more than R$ 5.7 billion annually for the local economy through tourism, entertainment, hospitality, transportation, media, and creative industries. Beyond economics, the initiative serves as a year-round platform for cultural preservation, community engagement, and social inclusion. Samba schools operate as permanent cultural institutions within their territories, offering spaces for artistic expression, social connection, identity building, and community participation. At the same time, the initiative recognizes ongoing challenges within the creative economy, including labor precarity, long working hours during production cycles, and the need to strengthen sustainability and social protection mechanisms for cultural workers. Overall, Rio Carnival is not only an annual event, but a continuous ecosystem of culture, employment, tourism, and community development that impacts tens of thousands of people every year.

Photos

More information

https://liesa.org.br

Countries

Brazil

Contact Information

Daniel Calarco, Director of International Relations

danielcalarco@liesa.org.br