Brazil’s Bolsa Família welfare program lifted 3 million out of poverty in 2023: Gov’t

From Thiago Alves / Brazil Reports: Bolosa Famila, a social welfare program in Brazil aims to help bring Brazilians out of poverty. Paying R$ 600 ($119 USD) per month enables families to cover basic monthly costs such as food. The program does have requirements for disbursement for families, namely in education and public health. Increased funds into local communities also help drive the purchasing of local services and products, as well as the creation of small local businesses, boosting local economies.

Read the original story here.

Issue Areas:

Universal Basic Income

Impact Areas:

Equity

Actors:

Government

Communities Served:

Communities Experiencing Economic Hardship

Strategies:

Easing Economic Burdens for Individuals, Trust in Institutions, Universal Basic Income

Success Factors:

Eliminating Barriers, Help Rather Than Punishment, Meeting People Where They Are At, Overcoming the Big Challenges, Providing Cash Instead Of Goods/Services

Geographic Region:

South America

Countries:

Brazil

Date:

October 3, 2023

More Resources:

Microfinance helps Indian women borrow – with dignity

From Annie Banerji / Christian Science Monitor: Microfinance institutions in India are providing low-cost loans to women in remote areas who typically only have access to loan sharks. The women are using the money to break poverty cycles and start their...

How going solar is helping U.S. schools save millions

From Nikolay Nikolov / Mashable: School districts in the United States are switching to solar power to save money on utilities and sell extra power back to the power grid. They use the savings to increase teachers’ pay and upgrade...

Why one Ontario town moved to a four-day workweek

From John Michael McGrath / TVO Today: Local government staff members in Zorra can choose to opt-in for longer workdays four days a week in exchange for three-day weekends. The change allows for more flexibility, productivity, and employee satisfaction. Read...

What Germany’s Coal Miners Can Teach America About Medical Debt

From Noam N. Levey / KFF Health News: Germany, like the U.S., has a largely private healthcare system that relies on private doctors and private insurers. Like Americans, many Germans enroll in a health plan through work, splitting the cost...

Conversation with Delana Finlayson

Delana Finlayson leads Urban Think Tank Empower, a South African non-profit dedicated to socio-economic transformation through multidisciplinary projects. Notably, the Empower Khayelitsha project pioneers housing innovation approaches by integrating affordability, sustainability, and community engagement. Delana Finlayson spoke with Ashley Hopkinson...

Conversation with Gary Belkin

Gary Belkin is the Director of the Billion Minds Project. Formerly Deputy Health Commissioner for New York City, he founded the Billion Minds Institute to bring policy and practical attention and change for taking on the “social climate” crisis of...