Renova Foundation has the listening, the dialogue, and the social participation as guiding practices for its actions with the affected communities. Engagement actions are fundamental for building the joint path.
OMBUDSMAN: REGISTER AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS RELATED TO DISSRESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND OBLIGATIONS
The Integrated Registration is the basis for recognizing the losses suffered by each individual. It is essential to create the database which defines the repair initiatives. Through this system, it becomes possible to characterize the extent of the impact for each person and to identify those affected and their material and economic losses.
Renova Foundation has been working on the construction of indemnity solutions to compensate those affected by the Fundão dam collapse in Mariana (MG State). Tens of thousands of people spread over 39 municipalities suffered impacts of different nature and intensity: each case corresponds to an individualized damage assessment process. Renova Foundation works to complete the indemnity process, for example: agreements for different categories.
Payments to those affected by the proven damage of their economic activities and by the lack of drinking water supply after the dam collapse are carried out through the Foundation’s Mediated Indemnity Program (PIM), a free voluntary membership program.
Water Damage: paid to people who were left without supply and without water distribution for more than 24 hours after the dam collapse.
General Damage: for the reimbursement of victims who suffered moral and material damages, including lost profits from their economic activities.
Renova Foundation pays a monthly financial aid to people who have suffered a direct impact on their economic or productive activity. The amount corresponds to a current minimum wage, plus 20% for each of the dependents and plus an amount equivalent to a basic food basket (Dieese reference).
R$ 1.8 BILLION WERE PAID IN CORRESPONDANCE TO INDEMNITY AND FINANCIAL AID TO 11.7 THOUSAND FISHERMEN
The repair effectiveness involves education and social protagonism initiatives. The actions start from the concept of Education for Revitalization, which connects different visions of the future, with the training of young leaders, educators, strengthening of networks and communities of practices.
The training of young leaders is at the forefront of the Renova Foundation strategies for education. The goal is to recognize them as fundamental actors in the repair process of the Doce River Basin, through educational and socio-environmental development processes. The youth leadership training project started in February 2020.
Since 2018, Renova Foundation has been working to engage young leaders to think about the future of the Doce River Basin. Educational and leadership training initiatives were carried out with 90 young people from 22 municipalities. Participants learned to develop projects and initiatives in the areas of sustainable development, innovation and preservation and cultural rescue of communities affected by the Fundão dam collapse through education. Currently, 23 projects are being implemented in the communities.
In an integrated action between the Renova Foundation, the governments of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States, with the participation of the Forum of Mayors of the Doce River, more than R$ 800 million will be allocated to investments in education, infrastructure and health in the region impacted by the Fundão dam collapse. Approximately R$ 240 million will be used to improve and structure nearly 900 public schools in the affected municipalities.
The Doce River Basin repair goes through the restoration, strengthening and expansion of productive chains and links to the local economy which were impacted by the Fundão dam collapse. Renova Foundation has worked on several fronts in this area, such as hiring local companies and labor, financing lines for micro and small companies, professional qualification courses and encouraging entrepreneurship.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS RESULTING OF COVID-19, PARTNERSHIPS WERE ALSO AGREED WITH SOME OF THE MAIN TRAINING CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY FOR COURSES WHICH WERE OFFERED ALONG ALL THE IMPACTED STRECHES BY THE FUNDÃO COLLAPSE.
The initiative was created by the Renova Foundation to make it easier for small entrepreneurs along the Doce River to have access to supporting resources and working capital for their businesses in a less bureaucratic way and with lower interest rate. The fund is managed by the Development Bank of Minas Gerais State (BDMG) and of the Espírito Santo State (Bandes).
DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WHICH HAS REACHED THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19, THE WORKING CAPITAL FUND ‘DESENVOLVE RIO DOCE’ HAS REDUCED THE INTEREST RATE FROM 0.45% MONTHLY. THE CREDIT ANALYSIS AND OPENING RATES (TAAC) ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE FINANCING. FOR EXISTING CONTRACTS, ACTIONS AND SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS WILL BE ADOPTED TO SUPPORT OVERCOMING THIS PHASE.
It aims to attract companies from the most diverse segments to Mariana (MG State) and reduce its dependence on mining activity. The subsidy model adopted pays part of the interest rates charged on credit operations.
Renova Foundation offers training and support in the search for solutions and alternatives to boost and improve business in the affected territories.
Among the initiatives that make up the integrated agenda in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States, there is a front with the potential to diversify the local economy, attract investments and generate jobs and income. Resources will be directed towards the structuring of more than 150 km of highways to facilitate the access of tourists to important centers of the region and the flow of local and regional production. An additional R$ 12.2 million will also be allocated to the city of Doce River in Minas Gerais State with the goal of implementing an Industrial District, with an estimated area of 5,500 square meters.
Actions to protect and restore the quality of life of indigenous and traditional communities aim to repair and compensate for the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of these affected communities. These families, which are part of Doce River history, maintain their own relationship with the river.
