Since 2010 · Rio de Janeiro
Raising black belts for life.
Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and Boxing that teach the principles of the black belt — discipline, respect and perseverance — to children and young people from underserved communities and public schools. A project by MMA champions Minotauro and Minotouro.
Enrollment open at 7 centers
Minotauro & MinotouroFounders of the Institute
- +5,400 Students served in projects since 2013
- 16 Years of work since 2010
- 7 Active centers with enrollment open
- 19 Partners companies and government
- 3 Martial arts Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and Boxing
Who we are
Discipline that transforms. Education that sets free.
The mat as a tool for education, citizenship and inclusion for the children and young people who need it most.
The Institute
Grit, discipline and resilience.
They have always been part of the Nogueira Brothers’ lives. In 2010, Minotauro and Minotouro started volunteering to pass that same foundation on to the children and teens who need it most.
Ever since, the Institute has used martial arts as a tool for education, with projects backed by companies and the government.
Featured project
Luta
Escola
da Vida
With Luta Escola da Vida (“Fight, School of Life”), Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts enter public schools as a tool for change: discipline, values and citizenship that go beyond the mat and into the classroom.
- +930
- children expected
- Public
- public schools
Our commitment
The 6 black belt principles
Every student pledges to use martial arts only for good, defensively and positively, to help themselves and others.
- Discipline
- Honesty
- Modesty
- Respect
- Self-control
- Perseverance
Centers
We go where we’re needed most.
Find the training center closest to you and sign up your child.
South Zone Rocinha
Travessa Esperança, 20 · Rocinha · Postal code 22451-610
North Zone Jacarezinho
Praça da Concórdia, 2 · Jacarezinho · Postal code 20940-130
North Zone Penha
Igreja da Penha, Largo da Penha, 19 · Penha · Postal code 21070-560
West Zone Santa Cruz
Av. Eng. Gastão Rangel, 1135, loja A · Santa Cruz · Postal code 23550-393
West Zone Realengo
Rua Ocaibi, 7 · Realengo · Postal code 21765-570
West Zone Freguesia
R. Quintanilha, 162 · Freguesia (Jacarepaguá) · Postal code 22763-007
Northern Rio de Janeiro State Macaé
Macaé, RJ
Our journey
Over a decade on the mat.
- 2010 The Nogueira brothers start their volunteer work.
- 2013 State tax-incentive (ICMS) project with TIM and the Rio de Janeiro State Sports Department: 500 students in 4 communities.
- 2016 1,050+ students a year in 7 communities. More than 4,200 by 2020.
- 2021 Federal Sports Incentive Law: 200+ students at Arena 3 (Olympic Park) and Vila Olímpica do Mato Alto.
- 2022 New centers in Macaé and Maricá for 500 students, sponsored by ENEL.
2030 Agenda · UN
Our mat supports the SDGs.
The Sustainable Development Goals are the global call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all. These are the goals the Institute contributes to.
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Regular sport for children and young people: an active body and a healthy mind.
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Luta Escola da Vida: martial arts inside the municipal school system.
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Training centers in the Rio de Janeiro communities that need them most.
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Sports spaces as meeting points for citizenship in the neighborhood.
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Environmental awareness activities with students and partner schools.
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Planting native tree seedlings to support biodiversity.
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The black belt principles: respect, self-control and non-violence.
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Companies and government working together through incentive laws.
Official Sustainable Development Goals icons · United Nations Brazil
For companies
Your company can sponsor us with part of the taxes it owes.
Our projects run through federal and state sports incentive laws, including Brazil’s Federal Sports Incentive Law and state tax-incentive (ICMS) programs. Your company directs part of its taxes to a social project with proven results and links its brand to two sports legends.
They’ve backed our projects
Get involved
Help raise black belts for life.
Your donation becomes sports gear, coaches, social workers, snacks and transportation for the kids’ activities.
Donate now via PIX
CNPJ keyOr bank transfer (Brazil): Bradesco · Branch 01075 · Account 0226996-1 · Instituto Irmãos Nogueira
