Since the appearance of favelas, there has always been a need for urban interventions on hillsides, either to transform them into habitable structures or to prevent this process from occurring. Some actions have focused on the eradication of this form of habitation, based on the defense of a hygienic, beautiful and standardized city. On the other hand, the mobilization of favela dwellers, by better living conditions, ended up conquering urban interventions that, in a way, contributed to their permanence in these places. However, in the urbanization history of the Rio de Janeiro favelas, most of the experiences of participation were promoted by the State, which was initially presented as an important aspect for the local development process, and later, guaranteed as a right. Thus, the urban projects carried out show how the sense of participation was appropriate and materialized by the favelados, according to what was allowed them, and as they struggled for better living conditions. Thus, until the present day, the participation of the residents in the urbanization of the favelas is seen, depending on the side where one is, with very different interpretations and that end up interfering both positive and negative in the expected results of the works and, mainly, In the lives of the residents. For a more comprehensive analysis of this object, the first chapter discusses the main theories of Brazilian participation and conceptions. In the second chapter, it is verified how the favelas were constituted, as well as the forms of intervention that interfered in its evolution, as well as the local projects of urbanization. In the third chapter, a description is given of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the last federal government program focused on favela urbanization, analyzing more specifically its characteristics and legacies in the Pavão-Pavãozinho-Cantagalo favelas. In the fourth chapter, the description of the PAC Social Work Project in Pavão-Pavãozinho-Cantagalo highlights the activities carried out in promoting the participation of residents. And finally, in the fifth chapter, through interviews with leaderships and the application of questionnaires and among residents and managers, an analysis of the Technical Project of Social Work of the PAC in these favelas is carried out, responsible for promoting the participation of residents.