Despite the rich cultural diversity and active citizenry, inequalities in Brazil continue to rank among some of the highest in the region. In major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, favelas (slums) stand as testaments to issues like overcrowding and housing deterioration by failing to provide:

• Safety
• Economic stability
• Basic water and sanitation services
• Secure housing

The complexity of legal framework around property law causes access to land and housing to be one of the most highly contested issues for both governments and civil society.

Reducing social inequalities in Brazil

Acknowledging the difficulty of acquiring land for the poor, Brazil enforces the idea that all property should have some level of social benefit. Although this notion can significantly aid the poor to acquire land, the complexity of the legal system hinders them from utilising this principle for their benefit.

It’s therefore necessary to help the civil society and civil servants better understand the role of property in reducing the social inequalities in Brazil that have been exacerbated by uneven access to land.

Favelas and urban poverty in Brazil

Our work in Brazil is to build a better future of housing not only through constructing and improving existing homes but also through influencing local policies and infrastructure around housing on national and municipal levels.

We actively participate in debates and policy discussions for city councils and represent all NGOs and civil society organisations in the National Cities Council to help solve the housing deficit and benefit more families living in inadequate homes. Our recent focus has been to increase access to the city for impoverished people through influencing laws and policies at the local and national le.

Here are our 3 objectives to reach our Solid Ground advocacy goal:

1. Forming a collective positioning to influence key actors on land policies and on the social role of property
2. Mobilise key actors in land reform to revise the Master Plan of Recife, a city where we actively improve housing units
3. Influence change and implementation of laws by building capacity among civil society members and enforcing land conflict resolution

A campaign to improve life in Brazilian slums

In addition to this, we will operate a variety of advocacy activities specifically centered on increasing access to the city through educating and mobilising governments and civil society around land rights.

Essentially, we plan to influence government officials and the Council of Cities by raising awareness and developing policy proposals. To achieve this goal, we seek to approve and monitor the implementation of law that guarantee the social function of property in cities.

To spread awareness about the social function of property, we will create and distribute policy positions, produce educational materials, and conduct social media and communications outreach.

The campaign will mobilise key actors around influencing the Master Plan of Recife by participating in and facilitating preparatory meetings and awareness-raising events. Through these meetings, we will help formulate government proposals. Additionally, we will promote capacity-building training for social actors.