Tag Archive for: Poverty In Brazil

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Educational Success in Sobral

Educational success in SobralLocated in the northeastern state of Ceará, the fifth-poorest state in Brazil, Sobral has shot up from the lowest-ranking municipality to the highest in educational success. This educational success in Sobral, 25 years in the making, is thanks to the efforts of the city that have spanned many mayors and secretaries of education.

The Beginning

In 1997, the leaders of Brazil decided to invest in children’s literacy. The newly elected mayor of Sobral, Cid Gomes, implemented various reforms to aid in this endeavor. Despite improvements in enrollment numbers and building quality, the learning ability of the students did not improve. An assessment in 2000 stated that 48% of second-graders could not read, according to Harvard Kennedy School.

Rather than hide this assessment, the municipal government shared the results with the community, promising a goal of 100% literacy for children leaving their second year of primary school. Three years later, an assessment revealed a 91% increase in children being able to read with ease, Harvard Kennedy School reports. This sudden rise from the bottom rank three years ago was due to Sobral’s realization that reform must start from the bottom up

The Approach

To achieve educational success in Sobral, the municipality took on an “iterative adaptation approach” to teaching. An iterative adaptation approach means breaking down complex problems, taking action, reflecting on the results and then adapting the approach based on what is learned. This dynamic approach to reform helped Sobral realize where their efforts were necessary: the teachers.

The first step in aiding the teachers with this educational reform was to let teachers into the conversation. A behavioral studies approach allowed the municipality to understand what teachers faced in their classrooms and offer not only autonomy for the educators but incentives as well. High-performing teachers are recognized and promoted to help in the selection and training processes of new teachers, while non-performing teachers and principals are removed, according to the World Bank. In addition to recognition, principals and teachers received bonus payments from the government if their students met the desired goals.

Incentives were an important step in helping teachers improve, but the municipality realized that practical help was equally important. Teachers received structured lesson plans, monthly professional development and feedback from classroom observations, the World Bank reports. In short, teachers had clear expectations and received the tools to meet those expectations.

Another important factor in Sobral’s success was data. Municipalities conducted diagnostic learning assessments twice a year to gather data on the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of students. This data helped Sobral focus on what schools needed assistance with and revise their strategy to aid them. In addition to learning assessments, a biannual national assessment helped promote accountability among schools. When Sobral showed growth, political support for the reform efforts increased.

Improving Education

Educational success in Sobral has become the model for other Brazilian municipalities, largely due to the education of the teachers. Clear and concise training for teachers is the key to improving how they navigate the classroom. Around the world, countries are starting to adopt reform that begins with understanding the abilities and struggles of the people who shape the classrooms and having conversations to recognize what they need to succeed.

– Matthew Perduk

Matthew is based in Chantilly, VA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Equality in Brazil

gender equality in Brazil The World Bank reported that poverty in Brazil has decreased from 21.7% in 2023 to 20.9% in 2024 due to growth in the labor market. However, gender equality in Brazil remains a prominent issue, with Rio having higher levels of social and economic inequality. Women in Brazil are 47% less likely than men to receive equal wages for similar work. 

Poverty and Gender Equality in Brazil

Oxfam reported that in Brazil, inequality is decreasing and to reach the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) current level of income equality, it could take 75 years. Furthermore, the lack of fiscal space to increase social spending and the reduced growth in the service sectors mean poverty reduction is likely to be much slower over the next few years. 

In Rio, around 23% to 24% of the population lives in favelas and there are more residents in favelas in the city than all others in Brazil. The term favela often refers to slums, where people living in favelas are more at risk of poverty and health problems due to gangs that control these territories. Women are often most at risk in the favelas, which face high levels of violence and offer limited access to resources for women. However, there are women leaders in the favelas who are activists, symbolizing the daily struggles of the people who face limitations to their access to rights. 

G20 Rio declaration

Officially known as the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration is the summit held at the end of 2024, detailing what promises and key priorities the leaders are committing to in the new year. It is often praised for its duty to sustainability, climate action and gender equality. 

Women in poverty in Rio may see the positive impacts of some of the decisions made at this summit, as the Rio Declaration confirmed the G20’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. One of these key commitments is the condemnation of gender-based violence, which may improve the lives of women living in favelas that are most at risk of violence.

Other notable commitments are the support of gender equality in Brazil with the promotion of equal pay, leadership opportunities and career development for women. A significant change and move forward is the summit’s pledge to reduce the gender wage gap from 2025 and bridge the gender digital divide by 2030. Indeed, this pledge will help move women out of poverty by providing them with better and equal pay. 

Lucia Xavier

Lucia Xavier is an activist who founded the anti-racist nongovernmental organization (NGO), Criola, in Rio de Janeiro and is a Brazilian social worker. Furthermore, Xavier founded NGO Criola in 1992, which acts in the defense and promotion of Black women, young women and girls. Xavier’s work across Brazil as an activist focuses on advocating for black women and girls from poor backgrounds who face violence, which she identifies as the biggest threat to women’s rights in Brazil.

For Xavier, Black women’s representation is a key issue and she believes their leadership is vital for an equal future. Xavier has said that “Black women [are] powerful political actors, capable of transforming society and reshaping the norms.”  

Women Ministers in BRICS

BRICS is a group of five countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — that serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for nations in the Global South. BRICS Brazil April 2025, held a meeting of women ministers that reinforced the essential role of female participation in shaping a new global governance.   

Gender equality policies took center stage at this BRICS meeting, which focused on women’s development and entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, climate action, sustainable development and digital governance – misogyny and misinformation. Each of these areas looked at where women need help in Brazil and possible solutions. When discussing women’s development, the focus was on promoting initiatives and investments aimed at ensuring women’s equal participation in economic and social development. Recognizing technology-based violence against women and ensuring countries commit to promoting women’s equal participation in climate action are key concerns. This is critical because women and girls account for 80% of those displaced by natural disasters and the changing climate.

– Alice Haston

Alice is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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INSP: Street Papers Tackle Homelessness and Poverty

INSPThe notion of a street paper was first established by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to tackling homelessness and poverty based in Glasgow, Scotland. According to the INSP, street papers are‘magazines or newspapers sold by people experiencing poverty, homelessness or other forms of marginalisation. Together with investigative journalists, people living on the streets report on the challenges they face, detail their own personal experiences of homelessness and write poetry to express themselves. Not only do homeless people contribute to the written content of the papers, but they also sell them on the street and keep the proceeds.

Shifting Public Perception Through Street Journalism

Vendor Programme Director of Street Roots, the street paper based in Portland, Oregon, DeVon Pouncey, outlines how the introduction of street papers has allowed readers to see how systems have failed people, rather than people on the streets have failed themselves. This helps redefine the general negative public perception of people experiencing homelessness, supporting efforts to address homelessness and poverty. The INSP has helped to found street papers in 35 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Since the first street paper was published in New York in 1989, the INSP has supported almost 400,000 people in poverty.

Employment, Voice and Empowerment

Street papers not only help address homelessness and poverty by providing people on the streets with work, but also give them a platform to express themselves and share their stories, allowing them to represent and speak for themselves. By featuring content written by homeless people, street papers raise the profile of social justice issues, such as the rise in the number of people who work but still live in poverty, or the criminalisation of rough sleeping in Australia. This challenges global preconceptions of people living in poverty. In selling the papers on the street, vendors also gain social skills and a renewed sense of confidence. In addition to the income and skills earned from selling the papers, the INSP is also committed to creating lasting change for homeless people, which is why it partners with local services to help find housing, provide employability training and supply food and clothing.

Boca de Rua: A Model in Brazil

Boca de Rua (Mouth of the Street), published in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is one example of a street paper. Founded in 2000, it features text, photos and drawings by 30 homeless people who then sell the papers and keep the profits. Boca de Rua also has a supplement, Boquinha (Little Mouth), which presents the work and activities of a group of 15 children and teenagers at risk of homelessness. Coming together in leisure spaces such as parks and theatres, the young people participate in games and create crafts and music, which is then documented in Boquinha. Boca de Rua has also partnered with Casa Alice (Alice’s House), a space for its vendors to take part in festivals, markets and classes and to access a library and lessons in reading.

The Global Impact of Street Papers

The INSP has a global readership of 3.2 million people supported by more than 900 volunteers. In 2021 alone, vendors sold 13 million street papers in 1350 towns and cities, allowing them to earn more than  £17.9 million. This model helps address homelessness and poverty in communities around the world.

– Elsa Tarring

Elsa is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Millie Bobby Brown Champions Girls’ Rights and Education in Brazil

Millie Bobby Brown Champions Girls' Rights and Education in Brazil Actress Millie Bobby Brown met with young adolescent girls in one of São Paulo’s most under-resourced districts, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to address key issues in girls’ rights and education in Brazil. 

From Screen Star to Global Advocate

Brown rose to international fame as the lead in Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” but off-screen, she has become an influential voice. According to UNICEF, she became UNICEF’s youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador at age 14 in 2018. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Brown has used her global platform to speak out on issues ranging from child poverty and online bullying to girls’ education and mental health.

According to UNICEF, Brown visited the Cidade Tiradentes district in March 2025 to listen to problems associated with girls’ rights and education in Brazil. Some of these include girls’ experiences with gender-based violence, school dropout, period poverty and limited access to job opportunities. 

“We talked about the importance of supporting each other through our respective challenges and I wanted them to feel empowered to make decisions about their future,” Bobby said in an interview with UNICEF.

Her experiences with public scrutiny and online harassment have helped shape a more empathetic approach to her advocacy. According to UNICEF, Brown has previously spoken out about her bullying experiences in school.

Issues Facing Girls’ Rights and Education in Brazil

According to UNICEF, there are limitations when it comes to adolescent girls’ rights and education in Brazil. Period poverty, which is a lack of access to feminine supplies and information about menstrual cycles, decreases school participation and affects more than 10 million girls in Brazil.

Violence continues to be a major concern in Brazil, with a report of sexual violence occurring every eight minutes against a girl in 2028. Additionally, in 2020, 14% of all births in the country were to adolescent mothers. This frequently results in disruptions to their education and long-term economic challenges, per UNICEF reports.

Between January and September of 2024, approximately 3,060 girls lost their lives to violence in Brazil, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Only about one-third of these cases were officially classified by police as femicides. Brazilian law defines femicides as “killings on account of being persons of the female sex.”

Human Rights Watch reports that some groups have exploited the digital rights of girls. Between November 2023 and April 2024, more than 80 girls reported seeing their manipulated photos on social media. These photos were “sexually explicit deepfakes of them.”

Brown’s On-the-Ground Engagement

Brown visited a school, painted a mural with students and also played capoeira, a traditional Brazilian game, during a physical education class. Brown also met with staff to learn about UNICEF’s Active School Search project. This project can assist in locating children who are not attending school. It can also provide them with the proper resources and guidance needed to help re-enroll them to continue their education.

Among the girls Brown spoke to was 14-year-old Kizzy. Kizzy told UNICEF that school is very important for anyone living in a marginalized area. “Having the school as a source of support for students is essential and always putting the students first is very important,” Kizzy told UNICEF.

According to Microsoft Network (MSN), Brown also engaged in meaningful discussions with the teacher to stress the need for supporting children living in vulnerable conditions. She focused on encouraging a cooperative effort to tackle both educational and social issues affecting the Brazilian community.

Recognizing the perspective of the students, she reassured them that their desire for knowledge about their bodies deserves immediate attention. “We are the change that the school needs and the community needs,” Brown said. 

UNICEF Brazil Representative Youssouf Abdel-Jelil described Brown as an “inspiration to girls in Brazil and around the world.” Brown’s work left a lasting impact on those she encountered, according to MSN, strengthening UNICEF’s commitment to advancing children’s rights and instilling a sense of hope and resilience in the next generation.

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Amazon Deforestation Undermines Indigenous Rights in Brazil

Indigenous Rights in BrazilBrazil shares a complex history with its indigenous population that spans centuries. The country contains approximately 60% of the Amazon rainforest and houses around 305 indigenous tribes. Throughout the 20th century, the intersection of indigenous rights, natural resource management and economic development has been navigated in Brazil.

Background to Indigenous Rights in Brazil

Brazilian policy aimed to balance development needs with indigenous rights and environmental protection. This approach shifted dramatically in 1964 when military forces successfully staged a coup and established a dictatorship.

Almost immediately after seizing power, the regime prioritized economic growth through large-scale development projects. The government built highways, including the Trans-Amazonian road, promoted colonization programs, and opened the Amazon to mining, logging and agribusiness operations.

Officials adopted slogans such as “Integrar para não entregar” (“Integrate to avoid surrender”). This phrase reflected the regime’s belief that Brazil needed to occupy the Amazon to protect national interests. These policies brought severe consequences for indigenous communities.

Twenty-one years later, the military dictatorship was toppled and Brazil transitioned back into a democracy. When the democratic constitution was still in progress, indigenous advocates and allies, including the Catholic Church’s Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), had lobbied vigorously to enshrine indigenous rights to their ancestral lands. “CIMI has become one of the most important defenders of indigenous rights, focusing on land rights, self-organisation and health care in indigenous territories.”

Feasting on the Amazon

Reestablishing democracy and constitutional protections has not resolved these issues. Subsequent administrations continue to face pressure to accelerate economic growth in the Amazon interior. This development drives deforestation and displaces indigenous communities. Agribusiness and logging operations systematically destroy public and indigenous Amazon lands. The state of Rondônia exemplifies this pattern with one of Brazil’s highest deforestation rates.

The Pastoral Land Commission, which advocates for environmental protection through the Brazilian Catholic Church, documented increased violence linked to logging activities.

“Poor people who effectively produce on their small lands are systematically persecuted, expelled, threatened or killed in the interest of real estate speculation,” Raphael Bevilaqua, the Commission’s attorney in Rondônia wrote.

Global demand for cheap coffee, meat, and soy incentivizes these developments. Multinational corporate giants such as McDonalds, Sysco, JBS Foods  and Wal-Mart actively benefit from land seizure and repurposing it for cattle use, according to Protean. One Brazilian journalist writes, “Both these broader incentives and direct investment have helped facilitate the Amazon’s destruction and promoted abuses against Indigenous peoples.”

Displacing the Kayapó and the Cost of Energy

One example of this dynamic is the construction of the Belo-Monte dam. The Brazilian government began to implement plans to construct hydroelectric dams on the Xingu River, in northern Brazil. In response, hundreds of Indigenous leaders from the Xingu basin – Kayapó, Juruna, Arara, and others – united in the town of Altamira for a historic protest meeting, the first of its kind. Completing the dam would effectively destroy the livelihoods of thousands as well as increase the risk of flooding villages.

Riding the 1989  global wave of protests, indigenous communities in the Amazon leveraged the rare opportunity to take their grievances to an international audience. Around the world, people responded with ardent pressure against the dam’s construction. The public outcry eventually led the World Bank to pull out of financing its construction. Eventually, the Brazilian government capitulated, a watershed moment. For the first time the indigenous peoples were successful in halting the destruction of ancestral land.

Reversing the Victory

Rising electricity demands coupled with public consciousness favoring cleaner solutions, lead to the dam’s construction entering the public dialogue once again. Indigenous communities began to coalesce: organizing protests, filing lawsuits, and lobbying FUNAI (analogous to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the U.S.) against the construction. Even Sting, the British rockstar who headlined The Police, joined in their movement.

The construction went ahead in 2010 and five years later, the Brazilian government, facing substantial domestic and international scrutiny, launched an investigation into the dam’s construction. Investigation found that the dam’s main contractor, Norte Energia, had committed serious federal crimes. “In December, Brazil’s Public Federal Ministry, an independent state body, started legal proceedings to have it recognized that the crime of ‘ethnocide’ was committed against seven Indigenous groups during the building of the Belo Monte dam.”

Cautious Optimism

One tribe, the Kayapó, have been particularly vocal in halting plans to construct further dams in the region. In 2016, they scored a rare legal victory when a federal judge halted the construction of an expansion project.

The dam’s future remains uncertain as energy conglomerates and indigenous communities clash in the court system. Under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, indigenous rights in Brazil have been given more consideration, but not concrete action. As of May 2025, no further construction has been initiated as the decision on construction rests with IBAMA (environmental regulation agency) to approve or deny the dam’s license.

Indigenous communities have once again banded together to oppose further degradation of the river. The Kayapaó have been successful in obtaining legal support from the Brazilian federal public defender’s office.

Advocates abroad like AIDA America and the Rainforest Foundation, are seeking to replicate the successful international pressure campaign of 1989 by amplifying indigenous voices to a global

audience.

The Future

As public awareness grows, advocacy networks are mobilizing and Indigenous leaders remain steadfast, placing Brazil at a pivotal moment. The impending decision on the dam is no longer just a yes-or-no vote—it is a chance to prove that economic growth can align with environmental stewardship.

– Max Marcello

Max is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Grassroots Movements Are Shaping Pro-Poor Policies in Brazil

Pro-Poor Policies in BrazilBrazil is incredibly diverse, comprising 26 states, more than 5,000 municipalities and 205.3 million people of diverse races, ethnicities and gender identities. Stark contrasts mark the nation. While it exudes cultural diversity, systemic discrimination and inequalities perpetuate intergenerational poverty in Brazil. According to the World Bank, as of 2021, 12.5 million Brazilians lived below the international poverty line. Against this backdrop, grassroots organizations have emerged as key agents of change. By focusing on community-driven solutions, these organizations are reshaping the pro-poor policies in Brazil and creating tangible improvements for its most vulnerable citizens.

National Union for Popular Housing (UNMP): Housing Justice

Brazil faces a severe housing crisis, with a deficit of more than six million homes and 25 million Brazilians living in inadequate conditions. This includes overcrowding, limited access to water and insufficient sewage systems. The city of São Paulo alone has more than 400,000 families residing in precarious housing. The UNMP, founded in 1989, has become one of Brazil’s leading advocates for addressing poverty and its housing crisis. The organization currently has mobilized 350,000 members across 23 Brazilian states.

The UNMP combines action and negotiation, aiming to provide affordable housing for the most vulnerable in Brazil. The UNMP’s strategies include occupying buildings, shaping housing laws through policy advocacy and collaborating with the government to develop cooperative housing projects under programs such as My Home My Life (MCMV). One of the UNMP’s most notable achievements was including Article 183 in the 1988 constitution. It guaranteed that the social aspect of property would take precedence over profit-driven motives, thus enshrining the right to suitable housing as a human right under Brazilian law.

Pastoral da Criança (PDC): Tackling Child Malnutrition

Child health remains a critical issue in Brazil. Undernutrition, stunting and dental caries disproportionately affect Black and low-income children, whose stunting rates are approximately 11% higher than those of white children. The pandemic and economic crises have worsened these challenges as food insecurity reached 15% in 2022, reversing earlier reductions in poverty in Brazil. Poor-quality parental education, low income and inadequate housing have perpetuated the unfavorable conditions experienced by Brazilian children.

Founded by Dr. Zilda Arns Newman, the PDC is a Catholic social organization that seeks to improve this. It focuses on developing children below 6 years old, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances. Volunteers for the PDC visit homes to monitor child malnutrition, arranging Weigh Days to ensure that children develop steadily. They teach families how to properly nurture their children’s growth, demonstrating how to cook affordable yet nutritious meals.

They also inform mothers how to recognize and treat common illnesses in children. These efforts have significantly reduced infant mortality rates, helping Brazil meet a U.N. Millennium Development Goal ahead of schedule. Thus helping to shape pro-poor policies in Brazil. However, rising poverty and food insecurity threaten to undo this progress, underscoring the need for sustained grassroots intervention.

Marielle Franco Institute (IMF): Empowering

The brutal assassination of Marielle Franco (a Black, favela-born councilor and fearless human rights defender) in 2018 sent shockwaves throughout Brazil and became a galvanizing moment in the fight for social justice. Her legacy endures through the IMF, which has evolved into one of Brazil’s most vital organizations combating systemic oppression through three key pillars of action.

The Institute acts as a watchdog against police brutality against marginalized communities and advocates for climate justice, particularly for those living in the urban peripheries. The IMF offers programs and opportunities to marginalized groups that aid the development of their leadership skills and teach them how to exercise their political rights. This multifaceted approach demonstrates how the Institute goes beyond traditional activism, building an entire ecosystem for structural change.

Looking Forward

Grassroots initiatives such as the UNMP, Pastoral da Criança and the IMF exemplify how organized communities can influence pro-poor policies in Brazil. Their achievements illustrate that change is achievable when marginalized voices lead. Nevertheless, Brazil’s shifting poverty rates highlight the vulnerability of these advancements.

Ongoing progress necessitates grassroots activism and a steadfast commitment from the government toward equity. These movements demonstrate that the quest for justice is ongoing, but it is a struggle that can be won.

– Emilia Bartle

Emilia is based in Watford, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Reducing Poverty in São Paulo

Poverty in São PauloSão Paulo, a city in Brazil, has launched new initiatives to help reduce poverty and guide citizens to self-sufficiency. Two major programs, SuperAção SP and the Master Plan, take different approaches to the same goal. SuperAção SP focuses on personalized support, working directly with families to identify needs and provide training, funds and resources. Meanwhile, the Master Plan aims to fight poverty through urban development by improving housing, transportation and job access. Together, these efforts aim to create immediate relief and lasting economic stability.

SuperAção SP

SuperAção SP employs 500 specialized agents who will work with around 20 families, examining each family’s particular root cause of poverty and devising a specific plan to get them out of poverty. For instance, a mother who cannot afford to send her children to daycare will be given a fund and advised on what to save money for. Individuals with little to no prior job experience will receive training that equips them for the labor force, giving them a better chance at getting jobs. Families suffering from malnutrition and food shortages will receive emergency funds and resources that are completely food-centered.

The first step of this program is to reach and work with more than 100,000 families in São Paulo over the next two years. During this period, the objective is to lift these families out of extreme poverty and implant a degree of self-sufficiency that enables them to remain above the poverty line. What sets SuperAção SP apart from other poverty alleviation policies is its dual approach: providing immediate support to those in need while equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities necessary to achieve long-term economic independence.

The Master Plan

Another poverty reduction initiative in São Paulo is the Master Plan. Initially implemented in 2014, the plan was revised in 2023 to accommodate increased demands and to take a more proactive approach to addressing poverty. The Master Plan is designed to reduce poverty through urban development; it focuses on creating better public transportation, larger apartment buildings and more room for parking, subway systems and train stations.

The core premise of the Master Plan is that poverty can be reduced through improvements in urban infrastructure and public spaces. Larger apartments, with cleaner subway, train and bus stations, will improve the quality of life in a given area. As a response to the improved areas, employment will also increase in the form of business and new work opportunities will be created. In turn, these improvements are expected to stimulate local economic growth by encouraging business development and creating new employment opportunities.

Furthermore, by bringing housing and job prospects closer, the Master Plan aims to strengthen the quality of life and the labor market in São Paulo. The 2023 revision of the plan was partly driven by studies indicating that areas with well-developed public transportation and larger residential and commercial buildings experienced lower poverty rates.

Conclusion on Poverty Reduction in São Paulo

The Master Plan and SuperAção SP are just a few of the many poverty plans in São Paulo. The poverty rate in São Paulo has been steadily decreasing in recent years. In 2023, the poverty rate reached a new low of 27.4%, which had not been seen since 2012. Programs like the Master Plan and SuperAção SP continue to be implemented and revised to reduce poverty. 

– Russell Bivins

Russell is based in Phoenix, AZ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Updates on SDG 6 in Brazil

SDG 6 in BrazilThe United Nations General Assembly issued the Sustainable Development Plan in September 2015 with Sustainable Development Goal 1 being to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.” The organization aims to assist nations worldwide in the fight against poverty. Brazil, the largest nation in South America, has been significantly influenced by limited access to essential resources like electrical energy that has contributed to the welfare of millions of people. When adult unemployment is taken into account, productivity drops to 33%. This implies that 67% of the country’s potential is missing. To stabilize Brazil’s economy and help its citizens, creative concepts and clear policies are essential in addressing issues like energy poverty and limited access to clean water. Here is information about poverty and efforts to address SDG 6 in Brazil, which is to provide adequate water and sanitation.

Poverty in Brazil

Brazilian poverty is a lasting issue with deep historical roots. The country’s population consists of of 205.3 million people. Despite being one of the largest sights in the world, Brazil’s huge income inequities have left much of its population in poverty. Low accessibility of healthcare and education are factors that explain its widespread levels of poverty. Even if poverty rates vary over time, there are millions of Brazilians who continue to live below the poverty line every day, just trying to meet minimum standards of decent food, housing and personal healthcare. Eradicating poverty in Brazil requires strategy to drive inclusive growth and humanitarian services. Some groups like Afro-Brazilians have limited accessibility in applying to schools and health clinics. Females are prone to discrimination in the working system. As a result, some people are attempting to resolve these issues in Brazil. 

Active Measures To Address Energy Poverty

Within the Paraguay-Brazil region, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) joined Itaipu Bi-National in promoting water and energy resource preservation. To further advance Brazil’s agenda towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the partnership designed a 2030 vision board.

Energy poverty is a very critical problem in Brazil, where a significant number of people have historically lacked access to electricity. Inadequate, reliable energy slows economic development, limits educational achievement and impacts the overall quality of life, particularly in rural and poor communities.

The partnership established sustainable energy solutions in an attempt to build a stronger foundation on better collaboration and speech dialogues to discuss energy connectivity. The plan is also to find any fundamental barriers or obstacles in the incorporation of these sustainability goals. Less helping hands discourages the development of home-based businesses and minimizes access to communication and data technologies, leading to a constant poverty cycle. However, with this partnership, the results should play out in the country’s favor.

The Necessity of Addressing SDG 6 in Brazil

Limited clean water is yet another significant challenge for people in Brazil. Lack of adequate infrastructure, pollution by industry and agriculture and climate change impacts are among the reasons for limited water and water pollution. With no clean sources of water, waterborne disease is more likely to occur, impacting productivity. In 2022, 23.9% of Brazilian citizens endured irregular water stock. One of the most shocking events Brazil experienced was Rio Grande do Sul’s floods in 2024 where several officials reported 54 confirmed cases of waterborne diseases or leptospirosis, causing four sudden deaths. Women and children are more likely to bear the bulk of water collection responsibilities, once again keeping them away from education. Water management improvement and access to clean water programs are critical to Brazilian society’s health and sustainable development.

The Agua Limpa Project

United Nations environmental activist and philanthropist Gisele Bündchen has contributed positively to Brazil through sustainable development of the Agua Limpa Project (Clean Water Project). In 2004, a passionate, nature-driven Bündchen visited the Xingu area of Brazil. As an eyewitness to river pollution, she has pushed for an end to ecological degradation. The project began in 2008, co-founded with Bundchen’s family, and they planted more than 40,000 trees near streams. She oversaw the country’s water quality when managing wildlife’s restoration. Bündchen’s work as a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador in Kenya is another noteworthy aspect of her career. Her influence even extends beyond the publishing of her works, including the New York Times bestseller “Lesson: My Path to a Meaningful Life.” She shares her life experiences from exploring Brazilian lands and how it shaped her mind.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

Sustainability resources have also been accompanied by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, whose advocacy stands for nations like Brazil, in which they seek available natural resources. DiCaprio promotes conservation efforts through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation established in 1998. The organization has supported at least 100 and more special projects in 50 countries and has achieved success in increasing international funding for environmental causes, wildland protection, and ocean conservation. The foundation has offered funding grants worth $20 million to around 100 communities fighting for environmental issues like changing weather patterns.

While DiCaprio’s efforts are dedicated to big-time environmental preservation and changing weather, he also spoke out for poverty reduction through the conservation of natural resources upon which most communities base their primary livelihood. For instance, his foundation supports projects that protect forests, whose role in the livelihoods in Brazil  is significant. As of today his foundation continues to conduct additional research on specific projects in Brazil that would provide a lasting contribution to poverty alleviation in the nation. 

Looking Ahead

Ending poverty and addressing SDG 6 in Brazil requires a special approach that includes promoting access to clean energy, natural resource management and promoting collaborative work between international agencies, governments, and individuals. Initiatives like the UN DESA partnership, Brazil’s development in biofuel and hydropower and the ongoing activism by Giselle Bundchen and Leonardo DiCaprio all play a crucial role in driving Brazil towards an equitable future. 

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Boca de Rua Empowers Homeless Individuals Through Journalism

Boca de RuaBoca de Rua, a unique street newspaper based in Porto Alegre, Brazil, continues to empower people experiencing homelessness by involving them directly in journalism. According to The Guardian, the publication creates opportunities for participants to write, photograph and sell the paper, offering both income and visibility to marginalized voices.

About the Newspaper

Founded in 2000 by journalists Rosina Duarte and Cristina Pozzobon, Boca de Rua—which translates to “Word on the Street”—operates as a quarterly publication where contributors attend weekly editorial meetings and determine the paper’s content. Vendors sell each issue for R$3 (around $0.53) and keep the proceeds.

According to Global Voices, about 50 people contribute to each edition. Topics range from street abuse to positive community stories, with recent issues covering tragedies like a fire at a state-run homeless shelter and flood impacts on the city. More than a source of income, the paper builds confidence and public presence for its contributors. Since its founding, Boca de Rua has supported more than 400 individuals through this model of participatory journalism.

Addressing Homelessness in Brazil

Homelessness remains a significant issue in Brazil. According to Development and Cooperation, the population of unhoused individuals grew by 38% between 2019 and 2023, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2022, more than 281,800 people were registered as homeless in Brazil and economic insecurity remains the leading cause. In response, the Brazilian government relaunched the Minha Casa Minha Vida (“My House My Life”) program. Initially implemented in 2009, the initiative offers housing subsidies to low-income families, particularly those earning under $400 per month, according to The Rio Times.

Stories of Ambition and Impact

Elisângela Escalante, a contributor for six years, shared with Global Voices how the paper helped her transition off the streets and into a home. Previously dependent on her partner financially, Escalante was able to regain independence through earnings from the newspaper. “Through it [Boca de Rua] I got a lot of things and I helped a lot of people too,” she said.

A memorable edition that she worked on featured the cover story “Why Can’t We Be Mothers?”—a piece that explored the challenges of motherhood while experiencing homelessness. During production, some participants even reconnected with their children, underscoring the paper’s emotional and social reach.

Another contributor, Michael Vasconcelos, told The Guardian that he became homeless after a family fallout. He later joined Boca de Rua, where he describes himself as a “paperboy and journalist.” “Now, I steal people’s attention and deal in information,” Vasconcelos said.

Media Representation and Inclusion

Community-led media initiatives like Boca de Rua play a crucial role in amplifying marginalized voices and fostering media diversity. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), empowering Indigenous voices in the media is essential for fostering pluralism and diversity, which are vital elements of a vibrant society. 

Despite this progress, gaps remain. As of 2025, UNESCO reported that:

  • About 25% of media outlets that are non-Indigenous have no editorial guidelines that correlate with Indigenous social issues.
  • Only one in five of media outlets cite marginalized individuals as sources, while 8% say that they never have.
  • Roughly 16% of media outlets that are non-Indigenous are required to publish in Indigenous languages by quotas.
  • Around 49% of media workers who are Indigenous have been exposed to harassment, danger and intimidation.

By offering contributors a direct platform, Boca de Rua helps counter these inequities and drives awareness through lived experience.

Looking Ahead

As Boca de Rua continues to grow, its impact reaches far beyond housing. Co-founder Rosina Duarte emphasizes that the paper’s core mission is to provide income and reduce the harm caused by silence and isolation. The organization aims to deepen its role as a platform for dignity, self-expression and community-driven change.

Contributor Michelle Marques dos Santos, who joined as a teenager living on the streets, is now preparing to publish a book about her life—an opportunity she attributes to the confidence and visibility gained through the newspaper. Now expecting her seventh child—the first she will be able to raise herself—Santos’s story reflects the transformative potential of community-led media initiatives. As Boca de Rua continues its work, it holds promise not only for current contributors but also for future generations seeking visibility and purpose.

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bolsa Família: Poverty Alleviation in Brazil

Poverty Alleviation in BrazilSince 2003, the Bolsa Família program has been working on poverty alleviation in Brazil. The program has helped 46 million Brazilian families by partnering with the World Bank. It has reduced Brazil’s poverty to 59 million from 67.7 million.

Hunger Reduction

With the provided cash offerings, many families who had previously suffered from hunger have food security. Last year, the Brazilian Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family and the Fight Against Hunger (MDS) gave $30 billion to needy families through the Bolsa Família.

Improved Health and Education

For years, youth mortality rates in Brazil remained high, mainly due to limited access to routine checkups and vaccinations. In response, the Bolsa Família program introduced conditional cash transfers, requiring families to take their children for regular medical visits to receive financial support. So far, more than eight million people have benefited from the initiative, which strongly emphasizes improving family health care.

Furthermore, the initiative has increased educational development with evidence of higher enrollment and academic successes from disadvantaged citizens. A prominent aim of Bolsa Família is to stop children from inheriting the poverty their parents endured by focusing funds toward advancing schooling. As a result, the school enrollment rate has increased by 5.5-6.5%. Similarly, the dropout rates declined by 0.4 and 0.5 points and the grade promotion rate increased by 0.4-0.5 points.

Women Empowerment

Career training and greater access to social assistance programs have opened new job opportunities for women and provided affordable child care services. Women make up 54% of Brazil’s conditional cash transfer program beneficiaries, an investment widely seen as one of the most effective ways to empower women. With increased autonomy, many can now make informed decisions about family planning, creating ripple effects that improve their long-term well-being.

Eliminating Child Labor

Since their consolidation into the Bolsa Família program, initiatives like Bolsa Escola, Bolsa Alimentação, Cartão Alimentação, Auxílio-Gás and the Child Labor Eradication Program have significantly contributed to reducing child labor in Brazil. In 2023, the government reinstated Bolsa Família, enhancing financial support to low-income families. Eligible households now receive approximately R$150 (about $30) per month for each child under age 6, bolstering assistance to vulnerable communities.

What’s Next?

The Bolsa Família program has had a global impact, serving as a model for other countries seeking to address the challenges of poverty and prevent its persistence. Looking ahead to 2030, the program aims to remove Brazil from the Hunger Map while significantly reducing nutritional insecurity across the country.

The goal is to increase disposable income to result in more grocery shopping, recognizing those needing protection and engaging the government to collaborate to eradicate hunger. The program’s lifespan has made a world of a difference to many lives for nearly 23 years and will continue its efforts of poverty alleviation in Brazil.

– Melody Aminian

Melody Aminian is based in Irvine, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr