The world maker community promptly presented itself to the front of the global fight against contamination by the new coronavirus. The chosen front was one that quickly proved to be more fragile and susceptible: the lack of hospital supplies. Since the pandemic was announced, people from the four corners of the world connect daily, at an impressive speed, to do what they can. A move that is making a difference and has already gone down in history.

OUR MISSION

Olabi - an organization that seeks to democratize technologies to build a fairer world - accompanied the birth of many of these actions and initiatives, which appear everywhere, at all times. We quickly realized the need to create a place where people from different backgrounds, regions and roles can meet, exchange information, provide expertise, dialogue, join forces, share projects and - above all - join forces.

The goal was to organize - as far as possible - information on the production of hospital equipment, which is decentralized, and to help connect the multiple actors working together to combat the pandemic (makers, designers, engineers, public managers and private institutions, doctors, nurses, researchers, entrepreneurs, students…) in our country.

PROTEGE BR

Protege BR/Protect BR is a platform that articulates information relevant to production in this new context, connecting those who produce with those who need it, valuing network movement. We already have more than 250 initiatives mapped across Brazil and more than 1 million faceshields donated by these initiatives. The platform also features open PPE projects and contacts of the Health Departments. Weekly meetings are held on Zoom with other initiatives to exchange lessons learned, generate connections and discuss upcoming challenges.

Discover the platform by visiting www.protegebr.org

Protege BR was selected as one of the 10 most innovative solutions of 2020 by GT Agenda 2030 and IDS in partnership with ADE Sampa.

We believe that we can contribute to reducing the tragic effects of the pandemic, at the same time as we create a networked dialogue infrastructure between local agents, necessary for the new times.

PR

Open Source Medical Supplies : National Case Study: Brazil’s Maker Response Against COVID-19

O Globo : Plataforma reúne coletivos 'makers' no combate à pandemia

CLAUDIA : Iniciativas de tecnologia estão se organizando para combater a Covid-19

Agencia Brasil : Covid-19: plataforma conecta produtor com quem precisa de equipamentos

Telesintese : Site reúne ações para a produção de equipamentos hospitalares com protocolo aberto

MY CONTRIBUTION

Concept

Communication lead

Articulator

Mediator

CONTRIBUTORS

Idealization: Olabi

Support: Google ORG and FORD Foundation

Partners: PUC Rio, Rede FabLab Brasil and Me Viro

Year: 2020

Direction: Gabriela Agustini e Silvana Bahia

Coordination: Davi Arloy

Project manager: Roberta Helcias

Communication: Larissa Bispo e Rodrigo Schmitt

Support: Elizabeth Fernandes

Co-concepção e articulação: Lara Azevedo

Platform coordination: Maria Vitória Kopper e Daniel Coronel

Content production and public relations: Luciana Bento/Pauta Positiva Comunicação

Key visual: Polar LTDA

Art direction: Pedro Lima