Rio de Janeiro's botanical garden is one of the most important of its kind in the world. The 200-year-old Jardim Bontânico do Rio de Janeiro, as it is called in Portuguese, offers a habitat for several thousand species, some of which are threatened. Cooperating with the Botanical Garden Research Institute, the Rio de Janeiro State Court and the Friends of the Botanical Garden Society, STIHL Brazil supports the Pró-Florescer project.
In Pró-Florescer, 20 to 30 young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are trained as park guides, gardeners or administrative assistants. During their training, the young adults are given free board and lodging and clothing. In addition, they receive pocket money. Apart from acquiring technical know-how, the participants develop their community spirit, initiative and self-confidence. A team of specialists, teachers and psychologists accompany the training and assist the freshly trained young men and women in finding a job. The botanical garden also profits from Pró-Florescer: It has additional workers – equipped with STIHL products.
STIHL Brazil has been involved as a project partner since the early nineties. STIHL sponsors ten training places every year and supports the project with numerous donations, such as cordless electric products and personal protective equipment.