The game “Ciclo do Poder”, developed through a partnership between the Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health (EPSJV/Fiocruz), the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), and Fluminense Federal University (UFF), has become part of the Fiocruz Innovation Portfolio. As a result, it is now the first board game in the collection and, at the same time, the first EPSJV technology to be included in this institutional showcase, which brings together innovative solutions with the potential to help address public health challenges.

Among the initiative's key features highlighted in the Portfolio are its support for educators in addressing taboo subjects, its promotion of dialogue and empathy, and its comprehensive menstrual education approach. For Cynthia Dias, a professor and researcher at the Polytechnic School, who was responsible for the game's design and text, it is very rewarding to see an educational technology project developed at EPSJV gain this visibility in the Fiocruz Innovation Portfolio.

“This achievement reinforces the importance of educational and social technologies in Fiocruz's work with the population. Furthermore, with the visibility gained through the Portfolio, we hope to establish partnerships to expand the game's reach, so that it can get where it needs to be: in schools and health facilities, breaking taboos surrounding the menstrual cycle and promoting menstrual dignity,” she emphasized.

With a cooperative approach, “Ciclo do Poder” addresses menstrual health in an educational and engaging way, encouraging dialogue, the sharing of information, and efforts to challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation.

National and International Recognition

In July 2026, in New York (USA), “Ciclo do Poder” received the Best Board Game with Impact award at Games for Change, the leading international awards program dedicated to games with social impact. This international recognition reinforces the project's relevance and validates its potential for educational and social impact.

According to Cynthia, the award validates the decisions made during the development of “Ciclo do Poder”, which made it accessible, engaging, and capable of fostering dialogue, support, and the breaking down of taboos surrounding menstruation.

“The Games for Change Festival is the world's leading platform for recognizing games with social or educational impact. Having ‘Ciclo do Poder’ recognized in this context is a major validation of our work. It shows that we made the right decisions to ensure that the game was appropriate for its audience, easy to understand, and truly capable of creating an emotional impact, bringing people closer to the subject and breaking down the taboos surrounding conversations about menstruation,” she emphasized.

Since its launch in 2024, “Ciclo do Poder” has also received awards for Best Board Game and Best Board Game Visual Design at SBGames, as well as second place in the board game category at the Festival de Artes. In the same year, it was voted Best Brazilian Indie Game by Drops de Jogos/Geração Gamer.

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