The report is based on a multi-method research project conducted over the past 11 months and funded by the European Research Council. It explores how digital entrepreneurship reshapes informal labor, with a focus on its influence on low-income communities. The findings highlight the shift toward social media as a means of income generation and emphasize the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable workers.

Key insights include social media’s transformative role in the informal economy, its socio-economic and political impact, the concentrated power of coach influencers, and the necessity for responsible social media practices. The report also features case studies from three sectors: beauty, cleaning, and retail.

Access the full report here: ENGLISH|PORTUGUESE