Workshop in Niterói (Brasilien): Basic Income Social Policies in Practice – Learnings from Maricá and Niterói in Dialogue with the Global North

Since the early 2000s, the emergence and continuous growth of cash transfer programs define the main stage in the discussion surrounding the future of social protection. While established first in Latin America, programs focussing on direct cash transfers have spread throughout various countries and contexts. Parallelly, a debate developed on the advantages and disadvantages of the conditionality and unconditionality of cash transfers as social policy mechanisms.

The municipality of Maricá established the Renda Básica de Cidadania in 2013 and since then, expanded it majorly. Today, it is the largest basic income program in Latin America. It is based on the circulation of a digital community currency, called mumbuca, which creates a broad network of local exchange within the municipality. Meanwhile, the Moeda Social Arariboia in Niterói was established in its current form in 2022. While the Niterói policy carries some similarities with the policy in Maricá, it also differs in various points.

The goal of creating a social protection net brings both of them together. But what does this mean in practice? What are the impacts of these policies? How does the receiving of mumbuca/arariboia translate into the local economy? What difficulties and chances arise through the policies? How do these policies relate to ideas of solidarity economy? This workshop plans to look at the current state of implementation, evaluation, and research on the social policies in Maricá and Niterói, aiming to give an overview, relate to basic income ideas, and create a broad spectrum of exchange likewise.

Further, while innovative and ground-breaking, the policies of cash transfer cum local currency, as implemented in Maricá and Niterói, share features with policies, pilots, and experiments implemented throughout the world, particularly in the Global North. The second main objective of this workshop is to offer an opportunity for international researchers and policymakers based in Europe and the USA to talk about similar experiences observed elsewhere and to contribute to local researchers and policymakers to take stock of the virtues and limitations of the policies that are active in Maricá and Niterói currently.

Date/Location

When? August 3rd, 2023, 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
Where? UFF, Gragoatá-Campus, Bloco F, R 407, Niterói, Brazil

Further Remarks
Please, note that this workshop will take place in English. It will be held exclusively offline/in person at the location named above.

The organizers do not and shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, colour, national origin, gender, disability, or age (and any other bases you wish to include) who wish to participate in this event.

Click here for the schedule (PDF).