Projeto Uerê, a Brazilian nonprofit based in Rio de Janeiro, has been named the recipient of the 2026 David M. Rubenstein Prize, the top honor in the Library of Congress Literacy Awards. The organization will be honored in Washington, D.C., on November 5, 2026.
The recognition highlights the organization’s Uerê-Mello pedagogy, an educational approach that addresses how trauma, poverty, and violence affect children’s ability to learn. Rather than treating learning difficulties as individual shortcomings, the methodology works to restore attention, memory, and confidence through structured activities, including lessons divided into short blocks. Learn more from the Library of Congress.
Founded in 1998 by Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, Projeto Uerê grew out of her work educating children living on Rio’s streets. Today, it serves approximately 300 students in the Complexo da Maré, providing complementary education and support for children and adolescents facing social vulnerability.
“Education is not just about imparting knowledge. It is about understanding what prevents a child from learning and creating the conditions for them to develop their intelligence, autonomy, and future,” said Bezerra de Mello.
Images courtesy of Projeto Uerê
Established in 2013, the Library of Congress Literacy Awards recognize organizations whose innovative and replicable approaches advance literacy. Supported by David M. Rubenstein and, since 2023, the Kislak Family Foundation, the program recognized 21 organizations in 2026.
The David M. Rubenstein Prize honors exceptional and sustained contributions to literacy. Projeto Uerê was selected for its measurable impact on literacy and its work restoring learning capacity among vulnerable young people. Its methodology has also been adapted to support refugee children in Europe.
“The 2026 Literacy Awards winners and honorees have successfully demonstrated thoughtful responses to their learners’ unique circumstances in their approach to literacy education,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen.
The award marks an important milestone for Projeto Uerê and brings international visibility to a Brazilian educational approach with relevance beyond its original community. It underscores the importance of addressing children’s emotional and cognitive needs as part of building lasting pathways to literacy and opportunity.