Sespa holds the 31st Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fair at Porto Futuro with creative products and stories of overcoming
Event boosts the creative economy and ensures visibility for families of individuals with ASD
On this Saturday (7), the Porto Futuro Park in Belém hosted another edition of the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fair, organized by the State Department of Public Health of Pará (Sespa), through the State Coordination of Autism Policies (Cepa). The event, which runs until this Sunday (8), from 4 PM to 9 PM, brings together family entrepreneurs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as autistic individuals who have found in the creative economy an important alternative for income, inclusion, and social appreciation.
This year's fair offers a wide variety of handmade products, ranging from bags and pouches with regional prints, cloth dolls, educational toys, and books, to kitchen items, jewelry, handmade clothing, dish towels, and rugs. In the gastronomy area, visitors can indulge in savory snacks, cakes, and pies with typical flavors from Pará — with shrimp pie with jambu being the most sought after among visitors.
For speech therapist Cleiciane Monteiro, from the State Coordination of Autism Policies, the event represents much more than a sales space.
“The expectation for this edition is the best possible. We have here entrepreneurs who are family members of individuals with ASD, as well as autistic individuals who are presenting and selling their own products. The fair stimulates the creative economy and offers a real opportunity for income generation for families facing limitations in the formal job market. It is inclusion in practice, with dignity and visibility,” she stated.
Support for families and appreciation of handmade work
Among the exhibitors, stories of dedication and overcoming touch those who pass by the stalls. Cátia Pedrosa has been participating in the fair for two years and sells traditional chicken with rice, prepared with care and flavor. She shares that she started her business to help support her five-year-old granddaughter, diagnosed with ASD.
“This fair is very important for me and for other grandmothers and mothers in the same situation. Here, we find support and, at the same time, we can generate an income that makes a difference at home. More than selling food, I am helping to ensure a better life for my granddaughter,” she reported.
New to the fair, Sandra Santos brought a stall full of homemade snacks. The mother of a 16-year-old autistic teenager, she sees the fair as a chance to start a purposeful business.
“It’s my first time participating and I already feel welcomed. The fair gives us a voice, allows us to showcase our work, and at the same time, strengthens us as mothers and entrepreneurs. Even with the rainy weather, I am very happy to be here and start this journey,” she said.
Suelen Moreira Ferreira is also participating for the first time. The mother of two autistic children, aged 5 and 13, she brought a booth full of products made by herself, such as embroidered napkins, kitchen sets, beach cover-ups, and children's clothing.
“Participating in the fair is almost like therapy for me. Besides selling, I feel part of a support network, where we are all here for a common reason. Being able to showcase my work while contributing to my family's livelihood is something very valuable,” she declared. She mentioned that she relies on her mother and older son to take care of the children while she works at the fair.
Charm and warmth for the audience
Those who visited the space also left enchanted. Freelancer Daniel Anthony, who has a two-year and five-month-old autistic daughter, took advantage of Saturday to explore the fair.
“The fair is a very beautiful initiative. I was moved to see so much dedication, so much care in the products, and to know that all this helps families like mine. It is important that we have more spaces like this, that unite information, support, and visibility,” he stated.
The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fair was created in 2020 and has since transformed realities. With an average of 10 exhibitors per edition and over 250 registered entrepreneurs, it has already generated approximately R$ 300,000, strengthening the financial autonomy of families and the self-esteem of those who have long been invisible in the conventional job market.
In addition to selling products, the fair is also a space for meetings, exchanges, and appreciation of potential. Each displayed item tells a story of resilience and creativity. Cepa emphasizes that the fair will continue to be a permanent space for inclusion, with regular editions throughout the year.
The fair continues this Sunday (8), with more products, regional flavors, and stories that deserve to be known.
Service:
31st Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fair
Date: June 7 and 8, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: From 4 PM to 9 PM
Location: Porto Futuro Park – Rua Belém, Reduto neighborhood, in Belém
