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Updates on SDG 10 in Brazil

SDG 10 in BrazilBrazil’s hosting of the soccer World Cup and Olympic Games in the mid-2010s symbolized its arrival as a confident middle-class power. Rapid economic growth and large-scale social reform had lifted millions out of poverty and gradually reversed some of the country’s extreme income disparities. But, that progress has stalled over the past decade. This article provides updates on SDG 10 in Brazil, examining the country’s performance against a core UN target – tackling inequality.

Decade of Stagnation

When the Olympics came to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Gini Index score, which measures income inequality, had been steadily falling for decades — from more than 60 in 1990 to around 52 in 2015 —  prompting experts to celebrate the country as a beacon for social progress.

But its Gini score actually increased in subsequent years, before returning to 52 again in 2023, the most recent year of available data. That’s almost double the SDG 10 goal, of 27.5, and represents a decade of stagnation.

‘World’s Most Socially Regressive Austerity’

The economic crisis that hit in 2014 largely explains that lack of progress, after a slump in prices for Brazilian commodities such as iron ore, a major corruption scandal at the national oil producer and a raft of fiscal and monetary policies that undermined confidence in the government’s ability to manage the country’s finances.

Increased borrowing costs followed, along with legislation freezing social spending for 20 years, which one UN official described as the “most socially regressive austerity package in the world.” Millions slipped back into poverty in the aftermath of the pandemic and there has been a surge in homelessness across major cities.

Highly Regressive Tax System

Brazil’s regressive tax system is another major cause of inequality. Several millions live in poverty, but there is also more than 400,000 millionaires (in U.S. dollar terms), with the richest 1% of Brazilians earning 27% of the nation’s income.

The country’s income concentration is significantly higher than previously thought, according to a recent report by a group of Brazilian and international economists, with ultra-wealthy individuals paying relatively little tax compared to other nations.

Using a new method of calculating wealth, officials from the Brazilian tax agency and researchers from the EU Tax Observatory found those earning at least $1 million per year have far lower effective tax rates (20.6% on average) than the average citizen (42.5%).

Many other countries reverse this pattern, including the U.S., where the effective tax for million-dollar earners is 36%, compared to 29% for the average American.

Brazil’s tax system is therefore highly regressive, as the tax burden for middle-class households is significantly higher than for the very rich, which hampers efforts to reduce inequality.

New Leadership and Legislation Brings Some Relief

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s return to the presidency in 2023, replacing the right-wing Jair Bolsonaro, has provided greater hope and funding support to social programs, including the flagship Bolsa Família program, which offers direct cash transfers to low-income families. Lula’s government has also passed legislation reducing the tax burden on low and middle-income households, with a minimum rate established for higher earners. In particular, the new laws ensured new levies on dividends and company profits that were previously exempt.

Observers debate the extent to which this can be celebrated, however, as some warn the highest earners are able to shield their income due to flaws in the legislation, while the changes are only expected to produce modest improvements to the Gini coefficient, of just 0.3%.

Tathiane Piscitelli, a professor of financial law at the Rio-based think tank, Fundação Getulio Vargas, has acknowledged the limited impact of the changes, but said: “It is an improvement to our system, something that has been needed for a long time… Income tax is supposed to be progressive. We had the opposite situation, where those who earned more paid less. So even if this is not the ideal reform, overall it is a major relief.”

Updates on SDG 10 in Brazil

Ultimately, tax reforms can only go so far, and Brazil will need to find ways to strengthen its economic performance to place itself in a fiscal position to dramatically increase social spending. With the government’s debt levels standing at more than 80% of GDP, up from 58% in 2016, and spending is still severely constrained, Brazil is unlikely to achieve the SDG 10 target in anything but the very long term.

Oxfam estimates it would take more than 75 years to match the income inequality levels of the United Kingdom, at the current rate of progress, which would still fall short of the targeted Gini index score of 27.5.

Reasons for Optimism

There are reasons for optimism, however, with analysts at Boston Consulting Group suggesting Brazil’s economy is “impressively resilient” and well placed to navigate the shift in global power structures. Political neutrality on the world stage helps Brazil continue to enjoy warm relations with most Western countries, while its membership of the BRICS+ group of nations provides a key leadership role among the world’s fastest growing economies.

The huge domestic market and vast natural resources should also help shield Brazil from sharp trade barrier changes, said BCG, while a vast clean energy sector and robust digital infrastructure provide solid foundations for sustainable economic growth. If growth can return and the government can respond with increased social spending and continuing improvements to the tax system, inequalities should again start to fall.

International and Non-Government Support

Brazil’s international connections should also bring foreign and non-governmental investment. Last year, for example, the World Bank agreed to fund a major project to re-introduce the Bolsa Verde Program, which offers cash assistance to rural families that commit to environmental conservation, and should benefit 55,000 families in the Amazon by December 2026. Meanwhile, organizations such as the Lemann Foundation are working to draw attention to Brazil’s challenges within influential academic circles, with major investments to establish research centers within some of the world’s leading universities.

Momentum Can Return

The fight to achieve SDG 10 in Brazil may have stalled after earlier gains, but recent policy reforms and global shifts that should favor its economy suggest momentum can return. If growth strengthens and reforms continue, Brazil should again make significant progress in narrowing its deep inequalities.

– Lawrence Dunhill

Lawrence is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Unconventional Classrooms: Micro-Libraries in Brazil

Micro-Libraries in BrazilNearly one in 10 residents over age 15 in Brazil’s favelas are illiterate. In communities where access to books, libraries, and formal education resources is limited, children often grow up without the basic tools for learning. To bridge these gaps, grassroots initiatives such as micro-libraries in Brazil are bringing books and learning directly into underserved neighbourhoods. They provide children with opportunities they might otherwise go without.

A 12-Year-Old Girl Sparks Change

In São Paulo, 12-year-old Lua Oliveira created a library in a small, tin-roofed room in her favela. She started after seeing a child at a book fair told she could not afford a book. Lua began collecting donated titles to lend to local children. Her library now holds approximately 18,000 books and operates in a community centre where children regularly visit to read and learn, World Economic Forum Reports. Furthermore, her initiative inspired neighbours and peers to engage with reading in their everyday environment, demonstrating how locally managed, small-scale learning spaces can have a profound impact on education in low-income communities.

The Mala do Livro Project: A Citywide Effort

Lua’s story reflects a broader movement in Brazil. In Brasilia, the Mala do Livro (‘Book Bag’) project has run for decades, with the support of the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy. Volunteers carry mobile book bags into neighbourhoods, community centres, hospitals, and subway stations. Each bag contains around 150 books, carefully selected for children, teenagers, and adults, and the network now encompasses 193 micro-libraries with approximately 45,000 books in circulation.

These micro-libraries in Brazil demonstrate the flexibility and community focus of grassroots learning spaces. By situating libraries directly within neighbourhoods, children and adults can borrow books without travelling long distances or relying on formal institutions.

Impact on Communities

Micro-libraries in Brazil affect more than book lending. They strengthen community cohesion, provide safe environments for children after school, and encourage peer-to-peer learning. Indeed, in Brasilia alone, the Mala do Livro project has reached around 100,000 readers over its lifetime, with 18,000 people using the libraries in a single year. Each micro-library receives roughly 45 visits per year, showing the continued engagement and importance of these programs.

Micro-Libraries as a Tool Against Poverty

Poverty in Brazil is not just about income; it also affects access to education and learning opportunities. According to UNICEF, 32 million children live in multidimensional poverty, which includes severe educational deprivation. However, in this context, micro-libraries in Brazil act as practical interventions against poverty. By providing children in favelas with books and access to literacy resources, these grassroots initiatives help break the cycle of educational disadvantage, giving young people tools to improve their long-term social and economic prospects. Education also drives economic mobility: the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that differences in education explain more than 40% of income inequality in Brazil.

Small Libraries, Big Impact

Micro-libraries in Brazil depend heavily on volunteers and consistent donations. Lua’s library, for instance, requires ongoing book donations and active participation from her neighbours. Similarly, the Mala do Livro project relies on a network of volunteers to circulate books and maintain access. Supporting these initiatives helps promote literacy and combat educational inequality in low-income communities, offering children a chance to break cycles of poverty.

From a 12-year-old girl’s home library in Sao Paulo to the mobile book bags, micro-libraries in Brazil demonstrate that classrooms do not need walls to be effective. Community-driven, accessible learning spaces transform education in the favelas, offering hope and opportunity to children who might otherwise be left behind.

– Iona Gethin

Iona Gethin is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia commons

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Solar Energy in the Amazon: Lighting up Villages With Electricity

Solar Energy in the AmazonThe Amazon region of Brazil, known as Amazônia Legal, covers nearly 60% of the country’s territory across nine states. Yet, it is home to only about 12% of the population. More than 20 million people live within this vast area, including Indigenous residents, many of whom live in villages disconnected from Brazil’s national power grid. In recent years, both the Brazilian government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have begun investing in solar energy in the Amazon in an effort to bring sustainable electricity to the region.

More Light for the Amazon

In 2020, the Brazilian government launched the “More Light for the Amazon” project, later integrating it with the national Light for All initiative. The program aims to deliver renewable electricity to 228,000 homes by 2026, improving lives, creating opportunities for communities long overlooked and protecting the fragile Amazon environment.

These public policies have been essential for scaling up efforts, especially since NGOs alone often lack the resources to reach every village.

Impacts of Solar Energy in the Amazon

The Indigenous territory of Xingu offers a powerful example of how solar energy in the Amazon is transforming daily life. Today, many households have access to renewable electricity. Although it took more than a decade from the launch of the original initiative, families in Xingu can now switch on the lights and even watch TV, thanks to this clean and renewable energy solution.

Another example of how solar energy in the Amazon is transforming lives can be found in Vila Limeira, a village located within a protected area of the rainforest. The nearest city is 112 kilometers away and the community is reachable only by boat. Before solar power, diesel generators were the residents’ sole source of electricity, an expensive and unsustainable option.

Today, thanks in part to a donation from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to the World Wildlife Fund, Vila Limeira operates its own solar grid. Families can now enjoy basic amenities like refrigerators and washing machines, dramatically improving daily life.

Solar energy in the Amazon is transforming daily life and helping remote communities thrive. Renewable power now runs irrigation systems, keeps produce and meat fresh through refrigeration and makes simple tasks, like washing clothes at home, possible. Beyond convenience, solar power has also saved lives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, communities with access to solar energy could refrigerate vital medications and vaccines while also staying informed with reliable updates on resources and the spread of the virus. This access proved critical in such isolated areas, where reaching a hospital or medical facility is often difficult and time-consuming.

Final Remarks

As Brazil continues to expand public policies that promote solar energy in the Amazon, the results are already proving transformative. Remote villages, once isolated from the national grid, are now writing their own success stories, with renewable power bringing light, refrigeration, communication and opportunity into daily life.

Solar energy has minimal environmental impact, which allows communities to preserve their land and traditions while also strengthening local economies. Most importantly, it provides the foundation for future generations to thrive, with improved access to education, health care and the tools needed to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

– Fernanda Nilson

Fernanda is based in North Charleston, SC, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Brazil’s Informal Housing: Pathways To Secure Land Titles

Brazil’s Informal HousingMillions of Brazilians live in informal housing without secure land titles, leaving them vulnerable to eviction and excluded from essential services like water, sanitation and credit. This insecurity is not new—it reflects centuries of unequal land distribution and weak property rights. In recent decades, however, the government has launched land regularization programs. These are aimed at converting informal possession into legal property, thereby providing families with greater stability and economic opportunities.

At the same time, NGOs such as Habitat for Humanity Brazil have mobilized to defend housing rights and equip communities to advocate for stronger protections. To better understand the economic importance of secure land tenure, The Borgen Project spoke with Victor Menaldo, Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Menaldo’s expertise in property rights and regulation offers insight into the broader stakes for poverty reduction and development.

Historic and Persistent Challenges With Securing Land Titles

Brazil’s struggle to secure land titles has deep historical roots. When the Portuguese Crown colonized Brazil in the 16th century, the land was divided into large captaincies granted to nobles. These nobles then distributed smaller plots, known as sesmarias, to settlers. While this system was intended to accelerate colonization, it concentrated land in the hands of a few. It often left small farmers without legal rights to the soil they worked.

After independence in 1822, Brazil spent nearly three decades without any formal land law. This vacuum allowed large estates to expand unchecked, often at the expense of smaller occupants. The 1850 Land Law attempted to regulate ownership. However, it required the purchase of land for cash. This policy excluded formerly enslaved people and impoverished farmers who lacked resources. Instead of democratizing access, it entrenched land inequality. The 1988 Constitution reaffirmed property rights but also required that land serve broader social purposes.

More recent programs—such as Minha Casa, Minha Vida (2009) and the 2017 Regularização Fundiária Urbana (REURB) law—have introduced mechanisms to convert informal possession into legal property, aiming to regularize urban settlements. These efforts represent significant progress; yet, millions of Brazilians still live without formal land titles, leaving them vulnerable to eviction and exclusion from credit and public services.

Land Regularization Programs

Land regularization programs have greatly aided Brazil’s recent attempts to address the historical causes of weak land title rights. In order to address contemporary issues of Brazil’s informal housing, the Land Regularization Program, which was initially connected to the Social Development Fund in the 1990s (Act No. 8,677/1993), has recently been revived. Brazil’s government has made continuous efforts to curb informality and increase access to legitimate land titles.

It has continued to evolve: in 2025, the Periferia Viva initiative increased support for Brazil’s informal housing improvements in neighborhoods that are at risk. The Regulatory Instruction No. 26 further updated the program’s rules. The program now prioritizes securing tenure and improving housing conditions for residents in Brazil’s informal settlements and low-income families. This is being done through revised regulations, such as Resolution No. 225 (2020) and Normative Instruction No. 2 (2021).

These changes demonstrate that Brazil’s land policies are dynamic and part of a continuous endeavor to improve the right to safe housing and lessen informality. Scholars also warn that poorly designed titling programs can have unintended consequences if not carefully designed. Menaldo noted that once neighborhoods are regularized, “rents and taxes rise; poorer households sell under pressure and re-informalize elsewhere.” He emphasized that while secure titles are powerful, they are “not a panacea.” Better-connected buyers scoop up newly titled plots at low prices when courts and registries are weak, commodifying land and pushing out the very families the programs were meant to protect.

NGO Advocacy for Housing Rights

In Brazil, the lack of affordable housing forces thousands of families into unsafe, informal living situations, often without legal tenure. Habitat for Humanity Brazil advocates for housing as a constitutional right and defends the right to the city, as guaranteed under the 2001 City Statute, which requires land and property to serve a social purpose. Habitat for Humanity Brazil collaborates with organizations such as the Zero Eviction Campaign, the Brazilian Institute of Urban Rights and the Observatory of Evictions. Together, they campaign against forced evictions and the displacement of low-income and informal settlement residents.

Beyond advocacy, Habitat Brazil equips communities with training on sustainable housing, financial literacy, gender equality and human rights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group worked with social movements. It even engaged the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, successfully pressuring Brazil to suspend eviction orders. It also conducted large-scale community interviews in 30 cities to monitor rights violations. The organization mobilized grants for local initiatives that empowered residents to defend their housing rights.

For families in Brazil’s informal housing settlements, weak property rights create what Menaldo calls a “precarious equilibrium.” Without recognized tenure, households often pay more for basic services through intermediaries, face risks of disconnection and underinvest in home improvements due to fear of eviction. NGOs like Habitat for Humanity Brazil work to break this cycle by both defending residents against forced evictions and equipping them with tools to advocate for their rights.

Looking Forward: Balancing Rights and Regulation

Menaldo emphasized that governments should not view property rights and regulation as opposing forces. “They are different tools specialized to solving different problems,” he explained. Assigning property rights can prevent land grabs or overuse, while regulation can address broader challenges, such as pollution and encourage positive practices through subsidies and information sharing. In this way, the state can provide leadership and coordination where markets or civil society fail to do so.

Menaldo also highlighted why secure land titles are central to reducing poverty and expanding economic opportunity. When families trust that they can “use, exclude and transfer” a plot without arbitrary loss, they are more willing to invest in durable improvements such as brick walls, sanitation or even small shops. Clear titles also unlock access to credit by making land legible as collateral for lenders. Lower transaction costs—through reliable courts and predictable registries—make it easier to buy, sell or lease property.

At the same time, official addresses expand the government’s fiscal capacity to tax and deliver services. Over time, these dynamics can strengthen markets, boost productivity and generate a cycle of greater investment in both physical infrastructure and human capital.

– Isaac Nelson

Isaac is based in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Brazil Prosperity Fund: Unlocking Brazil’s Trading Power

Brazil Prosperity FundThe Brazil Prosperity Fund was a range of projects designed to use aid from the U.K. to expand Brazil’s trade network and accelerate the country’s development. The scheme invested $40 million of U.K. aid between 2018 and 2023 and focused on four key areas:

  1. Energy
  2. Green Finance
  3. Future Cities
  4. Trade

Funding provided by the Brazil Prosperity Fund helped facilitate the exchange of information between U.K. scientists and the Brazilian Energy Program (BEP) on the most efficient ways to collect and utilize biogas. This led to the passing of Brazil’s Fuel of the Future law in October 2024, which regulates the country’s energy sector. The law was passed to reduce Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions and establish the country as a market leader in the sale of renewable energy, maximizing its trading power.

São Paulo Metro System Expansion

The Brazil Prosperity Fund provided funding, along with the World Bank, for the Brazilian branch of the Future Cities Programme. The funds from this scheme were used to expand the existing metro system in São Paulo, South America’s largest conurbation, with a population of more than 20 million people.

A key innovation in this scheme was to help expand Brazil’s trading power by connecting the city’s international airport to the Barra Funda area via express trains in 2018. This has allowed easier access to the city center for international travelers and a good entry into the country.

The São Paulo municipal government intends to continue to expand its metro network, with seven new metro lines planned for construction over the next decade.

The Brazil Exportação Platform

Brazil’s trading power had previously been hampered by the lack of access Brazilian businesses had to international markets. The Brazil Prosperity Fund aimed to alter that by establishing the Brazil Exportação (BRAEXP) trading platform.

BRAEXP works by identifying potential international buyers for Brazilian businesses and suggesting methods of payment that are accessible both to the businesses themselves and to consumers based overseas. The platform reported more than 50,000 unique accesses between its foundation in November 2023 and June 2024.

Reforming Brazil’s Transfer Pricing

Economic advisors from the U.K. were also involved in designing reform to Brazil’s transfer pricing system. Brazil’s trading power had previously been limited by its transfer pricing laws. These laws left some goods vulnerable to “double taxation,” where foreign exporters risked paying significantly more than the market rate to sell their products in Brazil.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the global policy forum that sets guidelines for international trade, has established the “arm’s length principle.” Under this agreement, any transaction between two parties must be priced within an appropriate range, as if the transaction were taking place between two entirely unrelated parties.

By enshrining this into Brazilian law in January 2024, the Brazilian government ensured fair competition between domestic and international producers. This makes Brazil a more attractive trading partner to developed nations.

The UK’s Trade With Brazil

The most recently published data shows that the total value of the U.K.’s trade with Brazil stood at approximately $16.6 billion for the year between April 2024 and March 2025. This represents an increase of more than 80% since the launch of the Brazil Prosperity Fund in 2018. The U.K.’s positive trade balance with Brazil increased, reaching more than $12 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025. This growth occurred despite the U.K.’s overall trade balance remaining negative during this period. These latest figures also show that Brazil is now the U.K.’s 26th largest trading partner globally and the country’s largest in South America.

Brazil’s trading power with the U.K. primarily stems from its exports of food and drink. These make up more than half of the U.K.’s imports from Brazil and utilize the South American country’s unique climate in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. Conversely, the U.K.’s leading exports to Brazil are medicinal and pharmaceutical products (17.4% of exports between April 2024 and March 2025) and mechanical power generators (10.2%). It is hoped that exports in both of these areas will further aid Brazil’s development and ability to produce exportable goods, while also improving the nation’s health care services.

Trade in the service sector, where the U.K. is a traditionally large exporter, between the two countries has been primarily based around financial services. By providing Brazilian businesses with access to London-based financial markets, this financial trade may allow for greater trade between Brazil and the rest of Europe, while also improving Brazil’s economic stability.

What Can We Learn From Brazil?

Brazil’s growing trade relationship with the U.K. is an example of a mutually beneficial arrangement between a developing nation and a developed nation, which overcomes geographic and linguistic barriers. This would not be as profitable for either country, without the recent acceleration of Brazil’s development, which was partially funded by international aid schemes such as the Brazil Prosperity Fund.

– Billy Stack

Billy is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Instituto Charles do Bronx: Giving Back to the Favelas

Instituto Charles do BronxDays before UFC 274, Charles Oliveira da Silva, known to millions as “Do Bronx,” stepped on the scale ahead of his highly anticipated bout against Justin Gaethje. He needed to make the 155-pound limit for the lightweight division, a challenge that had plagued him throughout his career. Oliveira missed weight by half a pound, costing him his title.

The fight went ahead, but only Gaethje was eligible to claim the belt. The setback proved temporary. In Phoenix, Arizona, after being rocked early, Oliveira locked Gaethje in a chokehold to reclaim the championship. The crowd erupted, but the biggest reaction came from his home Protégées commentary team when Gaethje finally tapped out.

Growing Up in the Favelas

UFC 274 wasn’t the only pause in Do Bronx’s journey, which is marked by highs and lows. Growing up in the favelas of Brazil, Oliveira has become a symbol of resilience and a hometown hero. He earned his nickname, “Do Bronx,” from the area where he grew up in São Paulo, Brazil.

Oliveira also faced a major setback at age 7, when he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a heart murmur—conditions that doctors warned could leave him paraplegic. But with the support of his family, who sold snacks and cardboard to fund his training, Oliveira defied the odds. He started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at age 12. Da Silva would turn to BJJ to escape the violence and for a sense of community at home.

“That was my mother’s concern,” Oliveira said. “I lost friends to crime—unfortunately, some died, others are in prison. I still know people who live that life; they chose it. But thanks to my mother, I chose the right path. We chose the right side, all my family, my brothers.”

Even against doctors’ advice, Oliveira kept participating in activities despite his medical condition. In an interview with ESPN, Oliveira described continuing his BJJ journey despite his medical conditions: “If it is God’s will for me to die, then I will die,” he stated.

Oliveira continued to pursue what he loved, becoming an inspiration to the people of Brazil, the same community he would give back to at the peak of his career. He has become a catalyst for supporting communities and helping people in need around the world.

The Rise of Do Bronx

Oliveira’s UFC career began in 2010. Over the next decade, he would become one of the most decorated fighters in the sport, with 16 submission wins, 20 finishes and 20 performance bonuses. Oliveira’s early UFC career was far from smooth. Multiple losses and ongoing weight-cut issues stalled his progress. But then, everything clicked. Starting in 2018, he went on an 11-fight winning streak until 2022. The highlight of this streak came in 2021, when he claimed the vacant lightweight title with a victory over Michael Chandler.

Oliveira earned the nickname “Do Bronx” after his hometown in Brazil. The name translates to “from the Bronx” and is a mark of honor for someone who grew up in the Brazilian favelas. For him, “Do Bronx” became more than a nickname; it was a calling, a symbol of pride and a way to represent his community. “A kid who came from nothing, from the bottom, from the favelas, disparaged,” said Oliveira. “That’s what ‘Do Bronx’ means to me. A kid who came from the favela to win.”

Instituto Charles do Bronx

Despite global fame, Oliveira never forgot his roots. In 2012, he founded the Instituto Charles do Bronx in his hometown. The institute offers free jiu-jitsu classes, education and mentorship to underprivileged youth, many of whom face the same challenges he once did.

The institute has served more than 150 young people and continues to grow. In 2023, Oliveira expanded the facility to include sign language classes and academic tutoring. His efforts earned him the 2025 UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award, personally selected by UFC CEO Dana White.

“[Oliveira] is not only a great athlete, he’s an amazing role model who enjoys giving back to the community,” White said. “It’s an honor to present him with his award.” This isn’t the only way da Silva has given back to his community. A heartwarming moment unfolded in his hometown shortly after his UFC 256 victory. Da Silva returned to his hometown to distribute meal kits to residents, many of whom had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During this pandemic, y’all know several families struggled,” Oliveira tweeted. “Today, I had the opportunity of donating food to the Prainha community. If you can, please help those who need help. Small efforts can generate huge impacts. Give it a try.”

The Champ Will Forever Have a Name

Oliveira’s impact goes beyond charity and the Instituto Charles do Bronx. He’s currently the subject of a biopic in development by 405 Films, which will chronicle his rise from the favelas to UFC glory. In April 2025, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fighting prowess and humanitarian work.

Now at 35 years old, coming off a knockout loss for the lightweight belt, Oliveira is preparing for another comeback fight at UFC Rio against Rafael Fiziev, a homecoming in a way for the only “Do Bronx.” Whether or not he reclaims the lightweight title before his career ends, Oliveira has already won something far greater: the hearts of his people and a legacy in giving back that will inspire generations.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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9 Initiatives Boosting Progress on SDG 17 in Brazil

SDG 17 in BrazilIn the midst of an arid rural environment, many Brazilians who once struggled with poverty and lack of opportunity are now having support through Brazil’s progress in achieving SDG 17 in Brazil. Communities that were once overlooked are not only gaining access to a steady income but also receiving the long-deserved recognition they deserve.

Brazil’s Sustainable Development Goals

This success story shows Brazil’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global aims that the United Nations created in 2015  to create a more equitable and sustainable future. This drive emerged as countries around the world faced growing global issues of poverty, changing weather patterns and ecological damage internationally. Each goal addresses a specific priority.

SDG 17 specifically aims for the implementation of “partnerships to achieve objectives.” The government, civilians and the private sector work together to bring economic stability, improve international trading and advance sustainable initiatives for resource allocation. By examining the nine ways that Brazil is advancing SDG 17, one can clearly see its commitments to the cause. 

1. FAO-IDB Brasília Action for Rural Resilience 

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to launch the Brasília Action for Rural Resilience.

Environmental Ministries from nine Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with civilians, development banks and multilateral organization specialists, joined the effort. They focused on strengthening social protections and promoting policies that improve rural lives and address climate justice. 

By coordinating economic, social and environmental sectors more efficiently, this partnership advances the goals of the SDGs. Two of its major successes include the Sustainable and Inclusive Piauí Project, which enhanced the lives of 210,000 rural families by increasing farmers’ income, expanding access to basic services like water and sanitation, and reducing food insecurity, and the Planting Climate Resilience in Rural Communities of the Northeast project, which boosted rural families’ climate resilience by installing solar-powered irrigation and pushing for low-emission agricultural technique. 

2. The Bolsa Verde Programme

The Bolsa Verde programme combined sustainability and economic development by providing technical training and generating income for rural civilians living in environmentally protected areas. In exchange, civilians actively maintained efforts to protect the surrounding nature. 

Brazil achieved astonishing progress on SDG 17 in this initiative, reducing CO2 emissions by 415 million UAS, four times the program’s cost. Additionally, 51,000 rural families gained proper knowledge on how to sustainably make agricultural practices. 

This example demonstrates how Brazil has turned SDG 17 in Brazil from theory into concrete actions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits to local communities. 

3. Together for Health

Brazil’s national bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) launched the Together for Health initiative, and the Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) coordinated its efforts. It aims to fundraise to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil’s North and Northeastern regions. 

Through match-funding, the initiative plans to allocate BRL 200 million to health projects in the region by 2026. So far, the program has issued BRL 96 million and reached 300 cities. 

Brazil faces considerable challenges, especially in the North and Northeastern regions, where hospitals struggle with understaffing and high disease burdens leave many communities underserved due to limited infrastructure. This initiative is aimed at bridging these gaps through funding projects and expanding access to essential services, creating  a more equitable and effective health care system for those who need it most.

4. Catalyst 2030 

Brazil advanced SDG 17 through the “Catalyzing Fund Challenge,” which implements projects to expand clean water access for Brazil’s Munduruku Indigenous people. The initiative installs water filters, educates communities on safe water practices and boosts collective action by tackling the critical lack of clean drinking water that affects many Indigenous households. 

Additionally, three Brazilian B-Corps including MagikJC, Gaia Group and Din4mo jointly created the Organized System for Affordable Housing, a nonprofit that provides social housing to marginalized urban populations. This collaboration raised BRL 15 million through real estate receivables certificates (CRI) on São Paulo’s Stock Exchange. The project clearly demonstrates how SDG 17 in Brazil boosts innovation and tangible solutions to serve both rural and urban communities.

5. IFAD’s 13th Replenishment

This UN fund supports farmers and helps them achieve sustainable, productive capacities. Under Brazil’s leadership, G20 leaders committed to fighting global poverty and starvation to advance social inclusion. So far, Brazil has pledged $13 million USD to IFAD in its three-year work program.

The newest reports confirm that Brazil has successfully reduced hunger, according to the UN Hunger Map, demonstrating solid results from both international and domestic partnerships.

6. Caatinga Restoration Through PPI

Brazil formed a partnership to oversee the regions of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. The government aimed to boost sustainable food production and generate income for nearly 5,000 rural families. 

This collaboration was done as a way of tackling food insecurity in the region, due to the limited resources and degraded land that threaten proper nutrition and the livelihood of rural families. Brazil’s advanced SDG 17 in this case by actively bringing together the private sector, government and local communities, while empowering women in rural businesses in the Caatinga. 

The partnership implemented the Production, Protection and Inclusion (PPI) mechanism, which provided rural families with access to credit, created market opportunities for women in farming, promoted environmental protection and supported sustainable agriculture. 

7. Envision Energy

Brazil and China jointly announced a $1 billion investment from China’s Envision Energy to boost eco-friendly aviation fuel made from Brazilian sugarcane. This collaboration boosts sustainable low-carbon fuel production, as well as promotes innovative energy technologies that target industries and their ecological footprint on the atmosphere. China’s Windey Energy Technology and Brazil’s Senai Cimatec are actively advancing this innovative initiative together. 

8. Brazil-France Amazon Partnership

Brazil and France joined forces to protect the Guyanese and Brazilian Amazon forest by launching a four-year investment program of EUR €1 billion using both public and private funds. Brazil demonstrated its SDG 17 progress by pledging through the partnership to stop deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, while also supporting sustainable development through payments for environmental services, financing and market-based joint frameworks that actively engage both private and public actors. 

9. BNDES Green Investment Lead

To attract foreign investment in sustainable developments, Brazil launched a platform that begins with BRL $5 billion in private sector actions, with a final aim to raise 18 billion reais in investments. Brazil selects initiatives that align with their environmentally focused priorities, including mobility, industry and “nature-based solutions.” The state’s development bank, BNDES, manages the project and leverages the capital to provide funding. This program becomes essential for Brazil’s SDG 17 goals, since it will increase the country’s reputation on environmental governance and bring a collaborative strategy for sustainable development of the nation.

Lessons Learned

These examples summarize what Lula’s administration has actively pursued, showcasing Brazil’s SDG 17 progress in advancing a greener and more equitable future. Indeed, when examining SDG 17 in Brazil, one can see that building partnerships lies at the core of the country’s strategies for achieving its SDG goals. From Indigenous water projects to billion-dollar Amazon agreements, SDG 17 in Brazil demonstrates how the government, local communities and international partners can actively shape a sustainable future. 

By advancing SDG 17, Brazil is addressing poverty inequalities and, through collaborations with the private sector, civilians and government, creating opportunities that promote the sustainable livelihood of marginalized communities. 

– Liz Mendes

Liz is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solar Water Projects Bring Brazil and Peru Clean Water

Clean WaterA quiet but transformative shift is underway in remote Amazonian regions of Brazil and Peru. Indigenous leaders, long dependent on polluted rivers for drinking water, have partnered with local nonprofits and engineers to launch solar-powered purification systems.

Since 2022, projects like the Huni Kuin “Mothers of the Amazon” initiative and Munduruku-led community systems have provided clean, safe water to entire villages in Brazil and Peru. These efforts are cutting down waterborne diseases and freeing women and children from hours of daily walks to unsafe sources.

The innovation is more than technical; it is deeply cultural. By combining ancestral knowledge of the rivers with renewable energy expertise, Indigenous leaders are shaping solutions that respect tradition and modern science. This approach not only restores health and dignity to their communities but also builds resilience in the face of climate threats like droughts and flooding, which are increasingly common in the Amazon.

From Scarcity to Security

Before these projects, waterborne illnesses, diarrhea and parasites were widespread in many Amazonian villages, especially among children. Dependence on untreated rivers left communities vulnerable to mining, agriculture and waste pollution. Women and children often spend several hours each day collecting unsafe water, losing time for school, work or cultural activities.

Now solar-powered purification units filter and store clean water directly in the community, reducing illness and allowing families to thrive. Villagers report fewer medical emergencies and stronger school attendance among children. The systems are also built to be locally maintained with Indigenous technicians trained to manage repairs, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Technology Rooted in Tradition

While the equipment is modern, adoption is guided by Indigenous governance. In Ecuador’s Amazon, the Achuar deliberately chose solar power through communal processes. They consult elders and hold guayusa tea ceremonies to guide the adoption of solar-powered boats. Similarly, Waorani, Kofan, Siona and Siekopai communities built and maintained their own rainwater systems. These models ensure technology complements cultural practices and strengthens sovereignty by keeping decisions in Indigenous hands rather than outside aid.

The combination of solar energy and traditional stewardship highlights a larger truth: technology is most powerful when adapted to local realities. For these Amazonian communities, the solar systems are not just machines but symbols of resilience, bridging old and new in a way that protects people and ecosystems.

A Future of Water Justice

NGOs are partnering with more villages across the Amazon Basin to bring these solar and water systems everywhere over the next decade. Governments in Brazil and Peru are paying attention and considering how this Indigenous-led model could shape national clean water access policies for rural and Indigenous communities.

For communities that have historically been left out of infrastructure planning, this change represents more than access to water; it means justice. Clean water powered by the sun and led by Indigenous leadership proves that dignity and sustainability can flow hand in hand.

– Marina Martin

Marina is based in Rapid City, SD, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Brazil’s Removal From the Hunger Map

Brazil's Removal From the Hunger MapOn Monday, July 28, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) removed Brazil from the U.N. Hunger map. Being on the Hunger Map means that most of the country’s population does not have regular access to enough food for a healthy life. Brazil was able to exit the hunger map due to Brazil’s government prioritizing poverty, stimulating job and income generation, supporting family farming, strengthening school feeding and creating access to healthy food.

Many plans, programs and initiatives were implemented to achieve Brazil’s removal from the Hunger Map. These plans include:

  • Food Supply National Plan, also known as “Food on the Plate.”
  • Agroecology and Organic Production National Plan (PLANAPO).
  • Arroz de gente (“Our Rice” Program).
  • Renovation and Modernization of Conab Warehouses.
  • Leasing of spaces at the São Paulo General Warehouse and Wholesale Company.
  • Public notice for the modernization of Food Banks at wholesale markets.
  • Strengthening territorial arrangements for the production and distribution of healthy foods.

The Food on the Plate and the PLANAPO Programs

The Food on the Plate,” and the PLANAPO plans were all created to ensure food on the table for all Brazilians. The programs also seek to minimize poverty by building a resilient and sustainable food production system that uplifts small-scale farmers, agriculture cooperatives and community-based associations. Central to this vision is a national commitment to ending hunger, ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all, while promoting environmental health and local empowerment.

Rice Production and the Zero Hunger Strategy

Our Rice Program provides low-interest credit and technical support to small producers while supplying rice to solidarity kitchens and food-insecure populations, helping those in poverty. The renovation of the Conab warehouse increases grain intake capacity, improves food logistics and reduces spoilage. Meanwhile, the leasing of spaces enhances the distribution of fresh produce to urban areas. It stimulates economic activity and job creation through expanded vendor participation.

In parallel, the modernization of food banks, which is aligned with the national “Food on the Plate” plan, upgrades the infrastructure for food recovery and redistribution. This initiative helps redirect surplus food to vulnerable populations, improving efficiency and equity in the food system. These programs promote sustainability, reduce hunger and strengthen Brazil’s resilience against economic and environmental disruptions.

Brazil also implemented the zero hunger strategy, which allows access to adequate food, agricultural support, income-generating activities and social participation. These plans and programs allowed Brazil to leave the Hunger Map and helped many underserved communities.

Conclusion

Brazil’s removal from the Hunger Map marks a transformative milestone in its fight against poverty and food insecurity. The country has shown that systematic change is possible when policy meets community needs through strategies like sustainable agriculture, modernized infrastructure and inclusive social programs.

Initiatives like Food on the Plate, PLANAPO and Arroz de Gente improved food access, empowered small producers and revitalized local economies. Brazil’s success story offers a powerful model for other nations grappling with hunger, proving that hunger can be eradicated with political will, innovation and grassroots engagement.

– Karisma Polly

Karisma is based in Sunrise, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Solidarity Christmas Campaign for the Children of São Paulo

Solidarity Christmas CampaignThe Associação Restauração or Restoration Association, has launched the 15th edition of its “Solidarity Christmas” campaign to raise funds for children living in poverty in São Paulo.

The Restoration Association

The Restoration Association is a Christian nonprofit, founded in 1989. It serves marginalized adolescents and children living in social vulnerability in the communities of São Paulo. The nonprofit’s “main reach or the focus of [the] ministry is to reach kids of the favelas, which is the Portuguese word for slums in São Paulo, Brazil,” said Isabella Hutchison, a volunteer with the Restoration association, during an interview with The Borgen Project.

The Solidarity Christmas Campaign

The “Solidarity Christmas” campaign began in 2011. It aims to sponsor children in social vulnerability through thoughtful gifts and meals to make a difference during the holiday season. The association works in five communities across São Paulo: Iguatemi, Promorar (Jd. Rio Claro), Vila Júlia (Sapopemba), Vila Rosa and Tolstoi.

Last year, the campaign’s 14th edition hosted two Christmas parties featuring music, games, a play about Christmas and a feast for more than 300 children. Funds raised went toward the celebrations and the gifts for the children, including shoes, a toy and clothes.

This year, the association aims to raise R$30,000 (about $5,457) by October to organize a Children’s Day celebration and Christmas event for approximately 380 children between the ages of 3 and 12. The celebrations brighten the children’s Christmas and allow them to connect with children from other Favelas (slums) who are in similar social circumstances.

The association operates several community projects throughout the year, including sports classes, music workshops, home visits, educational programs and even spaces to support women in the community dealing with drug abuse or domestic violence.

Community Activities for Kids

The group holds “agitas,” or community activities, that promote citizenship and social support twice a week. At the end of these activities, the kids are given little goodie bags, usually filled with a snack, to incentivize them to return.

The programs and activities provide structure and relief for families through educational or recreational activities.

“The sad reality is that most of these kids don’t have adequate food at home,” Hutchison said. “They may not have eaten all day, so this provides some nutrients for them.”

“All the parents want their kids to go to camp,” Hutchison said. “It takes some stress off their hands for the week and the unfortunate reality of it is a lot of these kids don’t eat three meals a day, so they think, OK, well, if nothing else, my kids are gonna eat three meals a day and have enough to eat for this weekend.”

Holiday Events To Inspire Hope

Funds raised this year will go toward the Children’s Day and Christmas events. Indeed, the organization aims to celebrate the holidays and offer hope and support to children growing up in difficult circumstances so they may have a brighter future than the one they were born into.

– Sahana Shastry

Sahana is based in Newtown Square, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons