A fighting chance: the social enterprise leaving a legacy of hope to Rio's youth

The global enterprise donating 50% of profits to sports programmes for disadvantaged young people

Born in the favelas of Brazil, Luta is a global enterprise donating 50% of profits from its sportswear company to sports programmes for disadvantaged young people.

In 2000, a small boxing club in Rio de Janeiro named Luta Pela Paz (Fight for Peace) opened its doors in the favela community of Complexo da Marè as a place for youths to escape drugs, guns and victimisation. Fight for Peace works directly with 2,500 young people a year at its academies in Rio and London and via its Global Alumni programme has supported organisations in 20 countries.

In 2000, a small boxing club in Rio de Janeiro named Luta Pela Paz (Fight for Peace) opened its doors in the favela community of Complexo da Marè as a place for youths to escape drugs, guns and victimisation. Fight for Peace works directly with 2,500 young people a year at its academies in Rio and London and via its Global Alumni programme has supported organisations in 20 countries.

Over the next three years Fight for Peace plans to train and support 120 organisations across the world helping a total of 110,000 young people. Young people from Fight for Peace, such as Shakeela, are regularly invited to model for the brand. Shakeela, from London, is a former participant who now works for Luta, helping other young people find employment.

Lee Selby, WBC International, British and Commonwealth featherweight champion has long been an ambassador for Luta and Fight for Peace. Selby is one of a number of high profile boxers to have been an advocate of Luta. He trains at Bristol City Boxing Club, which is part of the Fight for Peace alumni.

New York boxers Luis Collazo and Frank Galarza train at the Strarret City Boxing Club in Brooklyn – another alumni partner of Luta and Fight for Peace.New York boxers Luis Collazo and Frank Galarza train at the Strarret City Boxing Club in Brooklyn – another alumni partner of Luta and Fight for Peace.

The above article first published on theguardian.com in Jul, 2015.