Since 2008, Cantagalo has been home to a pioneering museum project - The Museu de Favela - MUF - It is the first territorial and living museum of and about the world's favelas, collecting stories, narratives and artifacts from 20,000 people in Rio de Janeiro.

Amongst a wide range of community and social initiatives in the favela, is Criança Esperança, the Children's Hope Space, which provides full-time care and attention to more than 7,000 children and adolescents - The organization arranges complementary school activities, in order to promote education, culture and inclusion and social development in Brazil. The community also houses part of AfroReggae, an organization offering workshops and classes in hip-hop and circus.

cantagalo and pavão-pavãozinho  demonstrate the admirable efforts of a local population working together in the face of great adversity to create a stronger and more enfranchised social body, whilst remembering also to celebrate their history, culture and remarkable setting.