Hydro has aluminum operations in Barcarena, in the Brazilian state of Pará. Here it became clear that football contributes significantly to the fight against absenteeism and school dropout.

That's why Hydro signed a partnership with the municipality of Barcarena in 2001, aiming to bring more young people back to the classroom. Among the motivating factors for young people are participation and a place on the Alunorte Rain Forest Team football team, as well as the trip to experience the Norway Cup.

Fierce dispute

The competition for places on the team traveling to Norway is fierce and involves a lot of prestige. Students are assessed based on their football skills, their performance at school and their general conduct and posture.

Thousands of students compete to make the Ekebergsletta dream come true.

The biggest victory

On November 8 last year, a farewell ceremony was held for the team at Hydro's facilities in Barcarena, where each player received his passport and a suitcase with a Norwegian uniform and travel guide.

- Our first big goal is to be at school, studying, taking care of your future. Education and the experience of a trip like this change a person's life - said the director of Alunorte, Hydro's alumina refinery in Barcarena, Silvio Porto, during the ceremony.

- When our children achieve this victory, we become victorious together with them - declared José Augusto Freitas, proud father of one of the boys on the team.

Since 2001, more than 12,000 children and young people have competed to travel to Norway and participate in the cup, which was held for the first time in 1972.

The 2014 data show that 44% of Brazilians in the North Region drop out of high school before turning 14. However, there was a great improvement in elementary education (from 6 to 14 years old), a segment in which the share of those who do not graduate dropped from 15% in 2000 to 4% in 2013.