Microcredits for sustainable businesses Today we would like to present two examples of microcredit projects in Columbia and Brazil: Banco Palmas and Solidarity BanksThe inhabitants of the Palmeira neighbourhood of Fortaleza in Brazil had to commute a long way to work. The money they earned was spent downtown and their community had a very low cash flow. This was exacerbated during the economic crisis. The Association of Residents of the Palmeira Community had an innovative idea, born out of this situation. A local currency was created called the Palmas. After some Central Bank auditors visited the site, looking for a Bank, Banco Palmas was born. The Palmas is a currency for local use in this neighbourhood.
:: How Banco Palmas and Solidarity Banks work in Brazil (English)Microcredits and solidarity economy Now there are about 40 solidarity banks and currencies in Brazil, following the principles laid out by Banco Palmas. New jobs are created in the community, microcredits are awarded, savings are accumulated. The development of low income territories is promoted by encouraging the creation of local production and consumer networks based on the support of the Solidarity Economy initiatives and socio-productive entrepreneurial activiites, service delivery and support to markets, shops and solidarity fairs.
:: For those who understand Portuguese: Interview with Paul Singer, Brasilian Ministry of Labour ATIWE Colombia’s Indigenous Entrepreneurs
For Afro-Columbian indigenous artisans living in the very remote Chocó region, their arts and crafts serves as a primary source of economic stability and for the
survival of their cultural heritage. With the support of BSD Consulting a business model was created,
providing the artisans with the opportunity to
sell their products under an organized
business structure and sustainable
framework.
Economic Value:
When a basket or plate is purchased, 60% of the sales price is directed to the artisan and 30% is directed to ATIWE (15% for the capitalization of ATIWE and 15% to a communal fund managed by ATIWE).
Communal Fund: a financing fund, that enables ATIWE to anticipate between 25% and 50% of the value of the product to each artisan. The other 10% of the final value is directed to social investment.
Social Value:
Reinvesting into the community: 10 percent of the product’s value is destined to
projects for improving the livelihood of the community.
Environmental Value:
Ink techniques applied with plants, ashes and mud to decorate arts and crafts.
Investment in reforestation projects and sustainable production techniques.
:: Find out more about the fascinating indigenous entrepreneurs (pdf)
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A Werregue
Basket - one of the ATIWE products
While women weave the
baskets, men are in charge of
finding the Werregue fiber, which is
obtained from a 20 to 30 meter high
palm tree with a thorny trunk. The
sprouts are removed to extract
ribbon-like strips that are later
turned into strands. Weaving one single vase can take between 30 and 40 days.
 
 
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