Betim is the first from MG to participate in the G10 das Favelas, followed by Rocinha, in Rio, Heliópolis and Paraisópolis, in SP, among others
Acquiring financial independence and having sufficient income to maintain a dignified life is one of the greatest challenges for those who live in the slums and suburbs of the country. The lack of opportunities in the formal market is the main obstacle that leads these people to think about a path to take.
According to the Data Favela Research Institute, 41% of respondents from the Brazilian community are entrepreneurs and 54% work overtime or informal jobs to increase income. And to undertake and maintain concentration on business, having the will is not enough.
In the municipality of Betim, in Minas Gerais, the residents of the slums and suburbs of the region have the support of associations to realize their dream of investing in their business. G10 Favelas is one of the city’s projects, made up of social impact leaders and favela entrepreneurs. The Jardim Teresópolis neighborhood is the pioneer in Minas Gerais to join the group. Like the rich G-7 countries (Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom), the G10 has joined forces for the economic and social development of these urban areas.
The G10 focus is economic development and community leadership, entrepreneurship with social impact, community empowerment, community innovation. There are over 18 initiatives, including education, sport, culture, leisure, sustainability, the environment and the solidarity economy.
Although the goal is to act on all requests from suburban and slum dwellers, the NGO encourages the community to invest in entrepreneurship. “Here we don’t just give out basic food baskets. Our differential is to help people to undertake”, comments the state coordinator Kenedy Alessandro. It idealizes the actions as a way to inspire the whole country to look at the favela, making communities great business centers, attractive for investment, in order to transform exclusion into successful startups and businesses with social impact.
With the aim of providing services to the community itself, Favela Brasil Express was created, which is the first delivery logistics company produced in the favela and for the favela. The project unlocks postcodes, allowing Internet purchases to reach homes within the favela, where the post office and couriers do not reach.
Kenedy explains that the aim of the campaigns is to give local residents the opportunity to learn a trade and collaborate with the population through their own learning. The Mãos de Maria campaign, for example, is responsible for the production of solidarity baskets distributed to vulnerable families. The activities are aimed at women who seek financial emancipation through baking and qualification courses in the gastronomic area, in order to manage their own business.
For those who have experienced domestic violence and had their self-esteem compromised by physical and psychological assaults at home, the Costurando Sonhos Brasil project was created. Women who were previously overshadowed and without the possibility of standing out and being protagonists of their own history, today can show their talent through Training in Cutting and Sewing. Graduation of the first class was held this month. “We had the same students walk the catwalk with the looks they created and sewed during the course. The event helps bring growth and income to our beloved and dear Favela da Terê”, concludes the coordinator.
🇧🇷The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Terra newsletter. Click here!
Source: Terra
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
