Recognition

Awards & Recognitions

The work of Instituto Dara is nationally and internationally recognized, as evidenced by the dozens of honors received in more than three decades of operation.
2020s
Joined the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) with special consultative status

2023

Joined the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) with special consultative status
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 20th in the world

2022

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 20th in the world
Brazil Foundation’s 2022 Social Leadership Award

2022

Brazil Foundation’s 2022 Social Leadership Award
Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Instituto Doar

2022

Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Instituto Doar
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world

2021

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world

2020

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world
2010s
Republic Prize for Contribution to the Public Attorney’s Office

2019

Republic Prize for Contribution to the Public Attorney’s Office
A+ Seal Management and Transparency – Instituto Doar/Época Magazine

2019

A+ Seal Management and Transparency – Instituto Doar/Época Magazine
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world – NGO Advisor

2019

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 21st in the world – NGO Advisor
Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Época Magazine

2019

Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Época Magazine
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor

2018

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor
Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Época Magazine/Instituto Doar

2017

Brazil Best NGOs Prize – Época Magazine/Instituto Doar
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor

2017

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor
Hebraica Prize – Outstanding Women to Vera Cordeiro

2017

Hebraica Prize – Outstanding Women to Vera Cordeiro
Highlight in the “Society, Science and Health” category at the ‘Faz Diferença’ Award – O Globo

2016

Highlight in the “Society, Science and Health” category at the ‘Faz Diferença’ Award – O Globo
Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor

2016

Most influential NGO in Latin America and 19th in the world – NGO Advisor
President JK Legion of Honor Symbol Medal – Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Rio de Janeiro State Congress

2016

President JK Legion of Honor Symbol Medal – Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Rio de Janeiro State Congress
21st most influential NGO in the world – Global Geneva

2015

21st most influential NGO in the world – Global Geneva
Battery Powered Award

2015

Battery Powered Award
GHC-GBC Health Business Action Award

2014

GHC-GBC Health Business Action Award
Social Responsibility Award of the Barra Press Association

2014

Social Responsibility Award of the Barra Press Association
Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)

2013

Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)
Best Community Investment Initiative – Global Health Council and GBC Health

2013

Best Community Investment Initiative – Global Health Council and GBC Health
Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)

2014

Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)
Top-10 finalists NGOs for the Carvalho Hosken Social Responsibility Award

2013

Top-10 finalists NGOs for the Carvalho Hosken Social Responsibility Award
Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders – Ashoka Changemakers

2012

Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders – Ashoka Changemakers
Best NGO in Latin America and 45th in the world – The Global Journal

2013

Best NGO in Latin America and 45th in the world – The Global Journal
Trip Transformers Award – Trip Magazine

2012

Trip Transformers Award – Trip Magazine
Todo Extra Prize – All Life category – Extra Newspaper

2012

Todo Extra Prize – All Life category – Extra Newspaper
Alas Foundation and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

2012

Alas Foundation and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)

2011

Sustainability Award – Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (Ibef)
Best NGO in Latin America and 45th in the world – The Global Journal

2011

Best NGO in Latin America and 45th in the world – The Global Journal
The Future Quotient: 50 Star in Long-Term Innovation – Volans and JWT

2011

The Future Quotient: 50 Star in Long-Term Innovation – Volans and JWT
Pride of Rio Medal – O Dia Newspaper

2011

Pride of Rio Medal – O Dia Newspaper
Making  More Health: Achievement Individual, Family, and Community  Well-Being Ashoka Changemakers

2011

Making More Health: Achievement Individual, Family, and Community Well-Being Ashoka Changemakers
Highlight Awards – Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW)

2011

Highlight Awards – Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW)
Most Innovative Health Project at the 6th Annual World Health Care Congress

2010

Most Innovative Health Project at the 6th Annual World Health Care Congress
2000s
Dubai International Award for Best Practices (Diabp) – One of the 100 best social practices

2009

Dubai International Award for Best Practices (Diabp) – One of the 100 best social practices
Doctor of the Year Award (Vera Cordeiro) – Rio de Janeiro Society of Medicine and Surgery

2009

Doctor of the Year Award (Vera Cordeiro) – Rio de Janeiro Society of Medicine and Surgery
Carlos Fernando de Carvalho Social Responsibility Trophy

2008

Carlos Fernando de Carvalho Social Responsibility Trophy
ODM Brazil Award – Federal Government

2008

ODM Brazil Award – Federal Government
Orilaxé Social Responsibility Prize – Afroreggae

2007

Orilaxé Social Responsibility Prize – Afroreggae
International recognition and credibility – Skoll Foundation Prize

2006

International recognition and credibility – Skoll Foundation Prize
Abrinq Criança Award

2006

Abrinq Criança Award
UBS Visionaris Award

2006

UBS Visionaris Award
‘Dose da Vida’ (Dose of Life) Prize – Aché Laboratory

2006

‘Dose da Vida’ (Dose of Life) Prize – Aché Laboratory
Vera Cordeiro is elected Brazil’s most influential woman in the Health area – Forbes Magazine

2005

Vera Cordeiro is elected Brazil’s most influential woman in the Health area – Forbes Magazine
‘Bem Eficiente’ (Very Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates

2002

‘Bem Eficiente’ (Very Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates
‘Dose da Vida’ (Dose of Life) Prize – Aché Laboratory

2004

‘Dose da Vida’ (Dose of Life) Prize – Aché Laboratory
World’s Most Innovative NGO – Global Development Award

2003

World’s Most Innovative NGO – Global Development Award
Certified as Social Technology by the Banco do Brasil Foundation

2003

Certified as Social Technology by the Banco do Brasil Foundation
‘Bem Eficiente’ (Very Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates

2005

‘Bem Eficiente’ (Very Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates
World’s Most Innovative NGO – Global Development Award

2002

World’s Most Innovative NGO – Global Development Award
Vera Cordeiro is elected a Social Entrepreneur by the Schwab Foundation

2001

Vera Cordeiro is elected a Social Entrepreneur by the Schwab Foundation

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Top 10 NGO finalists for the Global Development Award

2001

Top 10 NGO finalists for the Global Development Award
Top 10 Women in the Social Area – 2000 Prize

2001

Top 10 Women in the Social Area – 2000 Prize
Top 100 Charities in the world – World Magazine’s Best Charities

2001

Top 100 Charities in the world – World Magazine’s Best Charities
Top 20 best leaders in social work in Brazil – Gazeta Mercantil newspaper

2001

Top 20 best leaders in social work in Brazil – Gazeta Mercantil newspaper
Rio de Janeiro Government Award

2000

Rio de Janeiro Government Award
Ivy Inter-American Foundation Award

2000

Ivy Inter-American Foundation Award
1990s
‘Bem Eficiente’ (High Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates

1999

‘Bem Eficiente’ (High Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates
Tiradentes Medal – awarded by the Legislative Assembly to relevant works in the social area in Rio de Janeiro

1999

Tiradentes Medal – awarded by the Legislative Assembly to relevant works in the social area in Rio de Janeiro
Beija-Flor Trophy – awarded to 10 volunteers by the Rio Volunteer and Solidarity Community programs

1998

Beija-Flor Trophy – awarded to 10 volunteers by the Rio Volunteer and Solidarity Community programs
50th Sesi Anniversary Medal – Awarded to citizens actually engaged in social works in Rio de Janeiro

1997

50th Sesi Anniversary Medal – Awarded to citizens actually engaged in social works in Rio de Janeiro
Sesc Medal – Woman of the Year

1996

Sesc Medal – Woman of the Year


TESTIMONIALS

Check out what some world-leading personalities say about the work of Instituto Dara.
Muhammad Yunus

Nobel Peace Prize 2006

“Instituto Dara has created a powerful social methodology for the inclusion of the poorest.”

Herbert de Souza (Betinho)

Sociologist and leader of ‘Ação da Cidadania contra a Miséria e Pela Vida’ (Citizenship Action against Poverty and For Life)

“I believe that experiences like these and the support they receive allow us to begin serving, rebuilding and creating a new relationship between ourselves and a new society.”

Ursula Zindel

Founder of Ursula Zindel-Hilti Foundation

“The Ursula Zindel-Hilti Foundation is proud to be a partner of Instituto Dara since 2007. Throughout these years, the visionary Vera Cordeiro and her team have helped thousands of families by applying a very precise methodology.
It is not about alleviating children's acute health problems. Improving the living conditions of families and promoting their self-sufficiency are key to the success of this project. Statistics and testimonies prove the effectiveness of the Institute. For us, the most visible proof of the Institute's success are the smiles of the people who—thanks to the professional support of Instituto Dara—now have a better chance of a better future.”

Bill Drayton

Social Entrepreneur and Ashoka CEO & Chair

“Instituto Dara is an extraordinary work in a scenario which includes affection and entrepreneurship. This is the part of the world to which truly excellent social entrepreneurs belong. No one can stop Instituto Dara and Vera Cordeiro: they care so much.”

Graça Machel

Human rights activist and widow of Nelson Mandela

“This is the most complete model in the field of health that I have seen in the world. Instituto Dara has changed the way I thought about health.”

Armínio Fraga Neto

Economist, former President of the Central Bank of Brazil and member of Dara’s Advisory Board

“Having a heart and trying to do something for the poor is not enough. What has kept me involved with Instituto Dara for many years is my absolute belief in their competence and seriousness. And Dara knows how to do it in a scalable way, anywhere, since it is not local. It is really global.”

David Bornstein

Journalist and author of the book ‘How to Change the World’

“Instituto Dara is a social technology. It is powerful, life-saving like no other current technology in health or healing. Dara has shown that many of the root causes of diseases can be effectively and systematically tackled in impoverished communities, reducing hospitalization rates and alleviating the suffering of the families and doctors involved. The Institute is not only ethical and humanitarian - it is a global leader for advancing health with necessary integrity and prevention around the world.”

Ruth Cardoso

First Lady of Brazil from 1994 to 2002

“Everything that the solidarity community aims to be, preaches and hopes to find support in society is carried out at Instituto Dara.”

Laura Bergh

Principal facilitator of the Greenlight Movement

“The ‘Family Action Plan’ social methodology, a pioneer in the world in the fight against poverty, was developed by Vera Cordeiro, a Brazilian social entrepreneur and a doctor, and the team at Saúde Criança (now Instituto Dara).”

Sally Osberg

Executive Director of the Skoll Foundation

“Saúde Criança (now Instituto Dara) is not only a good idea. It is an extraordinary approach to healthcare transformation. We believe in high impact and evidence to prove it. The Institute has both. It not only treats symptoms – it goes right into the root causes of diseases. Those assisted at Saúde Criança have a 60% drop in hospitalization days and the families' revenue increases, on average, by 35%. That's what it takes to change the trajectory in health care for the people who need medical treatment the most. With Saúde Criança, we believe that the possibilities are limitless.”

Dra. Yolanda Ogbolu

Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland

“I believe that experiences such as this and the support of these experiences that will help us reconstruct a new relationship with society.”