in addition to all the ngo's operating inside rio's communities, over the years, favelas' residents united into associação de moradores (neighborhood associations), and fought for recognition, education, and for urban development - through these neighborhood associations, contact information can be found about the local groups and activities, and should be the first step in planning any research, or visit.  especially if interested in communities that are not normally visited.  

a list and contact information for the main of neighborhood associations can be obtained through the federação das associações de moradores do estado do rio de janeiro - famerj (federation of neighborhoods' associations of the sate of rio de janeiro), or via local guides experienced in communities' tourism.  

on this link we provide a list of local organizations that welcome volunteer work of many types, and that operate across several communities in rio.