Advertisements
THE Green Bag, a Brazilian government program, provided financial support for low-income families living in conservation areas who play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity. After a six-year hiatus, the government has resumed the program, offering hope and relief to families who depend on this assistance to survive and continue their vital environmental preservation work.
Overview of the Bolsa Verde Program
Opened in Brazil in 2011 under the scope of the program Brazil Without Poverty, the Green Bag played a key role in both minimizing extreme poverty and protecting natural areas, assisting approximately 100,000 families by 2016, mostly in the Amazon. In 2023, the reactivation of the program brought an increase in the benefit amount for R$ 600.00, paid quarterly by Federal Savings Bank.
Advertisements
Eligibility Criteria
Families must first fall into the low-income category to be eligible for the program, with a monthly per capita income of up to R$$ 89.00. Additionally, the family must reside in nature conservation areas or use natural resources sustainably. Eligible areas include National Forests, Federal Extractive Reserves and Federal Sustainable Development Reserves, among others.
First Installment and Future Steps
In September 2023, the Federal Government made the first payments, assisting 6,251 families. Payments will be made quarterly, totaling approximately R$1.4T 3.7 million directed to beneficiaries residing in areas of forest conservation units, extractive reserves and sustainable development, in addition to other rural areas defined by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA).
Advertisements
Significance of Bolsa Verde
The revitalization of the Green Bag marks a significant step forward for low-income families living in natural areas and working in environmental conservation. In addition to providing financial assistance to these families, the program honors and values the essential work they do in preserving biodiversity.
“Public funds must flow more readily to communities, stimulating the local economy, boosting trade and fostering citizenship.” – Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva.
“The revitalization of Bolsa Verde symbolizes social justice for communities that protect the environment and collaborate in the fight against climate change.” – Edel Moraes, National Secretariat of Traditional Peoples and Communities and Sustainable Rural Development of the MMA.
Benefit Registration and Receipt Process
To register for Bolsa Verde, the Family Leader (RF) must sign a Membership Agreement detailing the conservation activities that he or she will undertake. The family can register individually on the sougov.br platform on the Bolsa Verde page or a legally established community association can represent them collectively.
Caixa Econômica Federal will pay the benefit and credit it to an Easy Savings Account, Caixa Savings Account or Digital Social Savings Account. If the beneficiary does not have an account, a Digital Social Savings Account will automatically be opened in their name.
Coordination and Operation of Bolsa Verde
The coordination and implementation of Bolsa Verde are managed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA). The program's Steering Committee also includes representatives from the Civil House and the Ministries of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA), Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger (MDS), Finance, Planning and Budget.
Read also: Did you lose money in a PIX scam? Check out the guidelines for dealing with this situation!
Valuing the Efforts of Families
THE Green Bag stands out as a vital program to ensure financial support for low-income families located in conservation areas and that help preserve biodiversity. The program, in addition to offering economic stability, values the efforts of these families in environmental protection and in the fight against climate change. For more details about the Green Bag, visit the official website of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) or contact the Federal Savings Bank.
