Itabirito Territorial Development & Social Transformation Project

With attributes and characteristics that enable the promotion of entrepreneurship and the creative economy, the municipality of Itabirito, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, has a large part of its economic activities linked, directly or indirectly, to mining.

The Territorial Development project aims to change this reality and to allow local actors to see themselves as protagonists in new segments, potential generators of work and income, and, mainly, of social transformation.

In this sense, the Territorial Development and Social Transformation Project aims to stimulate new sectors as inducers of development in the medium and long term, in order to create a new culture of production, distribution, and economic circulation.

The Project aspired to do several things:

1. boost the strengths of the territory, local assets, and differentials;
2. increase entrepreneurial capacities and local inputs as elements of appreciation of knowledge;
3. enhance vocations and skills for the generation of income and expansion of autonomy.

In order to deliver on its goals, the Project had two fronts:

1. Economy of Culture and Tourism;
2. Agroecology

In addition, the Territorial Development and Social Transformation Project targeted to cross the transversal line of strengthening local Governance between Community and Sectoral Associations.

With a total duration of 28 months, the project included stages of Mobilization, Integrated and Specific Training, Selection of Enterprises, Incubation of those selected, Inspiration Trips, Prototyping and Market Access.

In adherence to SDG 5 – Gender Equity of the 2030/UN Agenda, a work focused on female empowerment was implemented, by bringing possibilities to strengthen the female universe within the Project.