Newsletter #57 – Strengthening democracy is an urgent task

Greetings!

I would like start this message, the last of the year, with some good news. Brazil Fund is closing 2021 with the launch of four calls for proposals to support the struggle for human rights in this country. These public notices will lead to the selection of at least 88 projects and groups, fighting for human rights, who will receive resources totalling R$4.7 million. In Newsletter #57, you will find links clarifying the focus of each of these calls for proposals and criteria for the registration and selection of proposals. 

This volume of new support is of particular strategic importance in a year that will be marked by the most complex and decisive elections since the re-democratisation of Brazil. Defending the 1988 Constitution is an urgent task and so is giving a voice to the most neglected sectors of Brazilian society, the people who are constantly threatened by any signs of crisis. 

Brazil Fund has also announced the results of projects selected for the programme, “In Defence of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. This call for proposals was launched under the umbrella of the Alliance between Funds, a collaborative philanthropic initiative that unites us with the Baobá Fund for Racial Equality and the Casa Socioambiental Fund, aimed at advancing in the field of social justice philanthropy in Brazil, through fundraising. The first calls for projects and subsequent support are focused on indigenous peoples and quilombola communities. 

This is all part of the actions to mark 15 years of Brazil Human Rights Fund. In Newsletter #57 you can also find out about all the other activities to celebrate our anniversary. This fund was built on the basis of the perception that an organisation was needed to provide support using local experience and understanding, deeply rooted and connected to our country, in order for activists and social movements to move forward with the social justice agenda in Brazil. Fifteen years on, we are pleased at the progress made and can see that the original idea proved to be effective and has underpinned work that has responded consistently to the most urgent demands of the present moment, without losing sight of the future.

You can find some of the results of this work in the magazine, Resisting with Those Who Resist, that we have just released. This publication discusses how the impact of this movement for the defence of rights, that is growing and taking form, is measured.

Stay informed about activities via our site, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. These channels will also provide information on the calls for proposals that are currently receiving applications. We invite you to take a closer look at the details and criteria and, if relevant, send in your projects. 

Finally, I would like to thank you as someone who follows and believes in the work of Brazil Fund. Your support is vital in the fulfilment of the foundation´s mission and is helping to transform the lives of thousands of people throughout the country. Our 15-year long history has been built with the participation of everyone who has collaborated and contributed to the advance of our work. Let´s continue this journey together!

Once again, thank you very much. We, at the Fund, are you!

Ana Valéria Araújo
Superintendent of Brazil Fund