In Minas and Espirito Santo, entities that work with aquaculture, handicrafts, fishing, and tourism participate in actions to strengthen activities
Every year, the amount of cooperatives and associations in Brazil is growing, generating opportunities in several sectors of the economy and especially in times of crisis. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in the period from 2014 to 2018, Brazilian employability grew by 5%. That same period, data from the 2019 Anual Report of Brazilian Cooperativism point to an increase of about 18% in jobs.
As a way to strengthen cooperatives and associations, the Renova Foundation developed a project for the development of Solidarity Based Enterprises (SBE) in the municipalities impacted by the Fundao dam collapse in Mariana (MG).
In Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, entities operating in the municipalities of Linhares (ES) Mariana (MG), Barra Longa (MG), Rio Doce (MG), Santa Cruz dos Escalvado (MG), Aimores (MG), Itueta ( MG), Resplendor (MG) and Pedra Corrida (MG), district of Periquito, are benefiting from the project that aims to promote, evaluate, implement, develop, monitor and strengthen SBEs, associations, and cooperatives, in the various segments of the economy.
Altogether, 12 entities benefit from the project in Minas Gerais. They are: Association of United Collectors of Resplendor, Association of Women Artisans of Itueta, Grupo Rega (Resplendor), Arte da Terra (Aimores), Produce Association of Bento Rodrigues (Mariana); Mariana Recyclable Material Collectors Association, Milk Producers Cooperative (Mariana), Doce River Fishing Association (Rio Doce), Fishing Association (Periquito), Florestinha Group (Rio Doce), Combined Work, Production and Agriculture Cooperative (Santa Cruz do Escalvado) and Barra Longa Agricultural Cooperative. The following entities from Linhares (ES) participate in the project: Handicrafts Association of Povoaçao do Rio Doce (AAPRD), Association of Fishers and Alike (APAP), Povoaçao Tourism Association – Conductors Sumare, all in the Povoação community, and the Guaxe Fishers Association (APIGUA), in the Guaxe community.
The Renova Foundation project, in partnership with DVF and PLAN Consultancy, was launched in March 2019 with a duration of two years. There will be 1,760 hours of consultancy services, 160 hours/month. During the Covid-19 pandemic, work with these entities is carried out through online consultancies.
“The groups receive all the assistance from the consultancy to further develop their business in the impacted territories. The alternative found for the continuity of activities during the coronavirus pandemic is remote assistance, through online consultancies,” says Kadio Serge Aristide, an analyst at the Economy and Innovation program.
At the end of the service, each entity will present a business plan. It consists of a description of the market as a basis for structuring the objectives and identifying the paths that must be followed by the entrepreneur, to reduce risks and uncertainties in the activity.
“The elaboration of a business plan and registration as an association, if not registered yet, are the actions that the groups crave the most. They learn to see new opportunities and take advantage of them, creating partnerships and business,” says Nayana Martins, consultant at DFV Consultancy.