Brazil launches R$100 million fund for tech projects in the solidarity economy

Brazil's Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) announced a new call for proposals that allocates R$ 100 million to support technology‑driven projects in the solidarity economy. The funding, sourced from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) and managed by Finep, will be granted to technological incubators linked to universities and Federal Institutes under the National Program of Incubators for Popular Cooperatives (Proninc). Projects may receive between R$ 1.5 million and R 3 million for up to two years, covering activities such as technical assistance, training, and university extension focused on territorial development.

The program aims to foster social technologies that strengthen cooperative enterprises, which according to the National Registry of Solidarity Economic Enterprises (Cadsol) involve more than 20 000 formalized initiatives and about 1.4 million workers across Brazil, especially in the Northeast region.