two associations are responsible for organizing and overseeing these groups in rio de janeiro: the liesmrj - liga independente das escolas de samba mirim do rio de janeiro (independent league for children samba schools of rio de janeiro), and the aesmrj -  associação das escolas de samba mirim do rio de janeiro (association of children samba schools of rio de janeiro).

the liesmrj and the aesmrj are also responsible for organizing the children's parades - although there is no formal competition among these groups, the best mirins schools are given some representative prizes.