Brazil

Overview

Overcoming deep inequalities and the full implementation of rights and principles set forth in the 1988 Constitution are critical to achieve the economic and social justice changes necessary for Brazil to fulfill its national potential.

The Regional Context

With the end of military dictatorship in 1985 and the adoption of a new constitution in 1988, Brazil developed a solid foundation for a vibrant democracy. This foundation supported sweeping social progress: infant mortality has dropped almost in half since 1990, enrollment in basic education reached 97 percent in 2005, and poverty rates have been reduced 13 percent from 1995 to 2008.

Despite this progress, much of Brazil's wealth remains highly concentrated. With the 10th largest economy in the world, Brazil still has 53 million citizens living below the poverty line, and more than 19 million living in extreme poverty. Crime and violence kills thousands of Brazilians every year, and land ownership remains largely in the hands of the rich and powerful. People of color, in particular, continue to face discrimination and exclusion from decision-making processes and are underrepresented in key institutions.

Our Goal

The goal of our work is to help change structures and policies that deepen the inequalities faced by marginalized groups.

We support efforts to bring positive change to key public systems and institutions that perpetuate inequality, discrimination and exclusion. We believe these steps will strengthen democracy and create a process for broader social justice change, where vulnerable groups across the country will have the opportunity to access public services and protect their rights.

What We're Doing

Our work is carried out in collaboration with innovative people from a range of fields and organizations, including universities, government agencies, civil society groups and other key institutions to better represent the interests of the underrepresented, including Afro-Brazilians, traditional and indigenous populations and women.

We focus on:

Strengthening enforcement of the justice and rights systems
Securing land rights and sustainable natural resources use
Promoting a balance between freedom of expression and media regulation
Strengthening Afro-Brazilians and Indigenous people's organizations and leadership

Our grant making in the region is pursued through the following initiatives.

Issue	Initiative
Human Rights	Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights
Sustainable Development	Expanding Community Rights Over Natural Resources
Educational Opportunity and Scholarship	Advancing Higher Education Access and Success
Freedom of Expression	Advancing Media Rights and Access

From the Newsroom

Speeches: Ford Foundation President Addresses UN Convening on Sustainable and Just Cities Discusses how urbanization can improve lives and build a healthier planet
News from Ford: Ford Foundation on Sustainable and Just Cities Ford grantees emphasize new priorities for the Rio+20 conference at UN forum on sustainable development
News from Ford: Ford Foundation Appoints Myriam Méndez-Montalvo and Nilcéa Freire to Lead Its Work in South America Two distinguished international leaders bring their skills, passion and knowledge to regional work
News from Ford: Twelve Social Change Visionaries Are Honored by the Ford Foundation ‘Visionaries Awards’ mark 75 years of support for courageous leaders worldwide, working in fields ranging from technology to human rights to microfinance