University extension and income generation in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic (SARS-COV-2)

The new coronavirus pandemic (SARS-COV-2) has had a special performance in Brazil for several reasons, which caused mainly economic and social problems. The Lonarte Extension Project from the State University of Londrina (UEL) works with the reuse of PVC banners with two sewing groups in a situation of social vulnerability, and the motivation for carrying out this study was the concern of being updated with their productive and financial realities in the current scenario, so that they could be assisted. The methodology applied in this study was exploratory bibliography, interview by guidelines, and the mental map as a tool for creativity. The interviews with the seamstresses from the groups revealed the need for higher demands of work. The application of Systems Design concepts (since the problem that arises is considered chaotic) and Design for Social Innovation enabled the creation of connections amongst new actors, such as a Cooperative of Recyclable Waste Collectors and a Medical Work Cooperative, which made it possible to systematize a sewing order of PPE to protect the collectors from the Coronavirus contagion.