Brazil

Brazil is known for having a liberal society, which often displays attitudes of sexual openness and freedom of expression. However, when it comes to LGBTI people, Brazilian society can be discriminatory and intolerant. LGBTI people face high levels of discrimination and homophobic violence, including extreme violence such as murder.

Economic empowerment & advocacy

10th training for low-income LGBTQI entrepreneurs in Brazil

Learn about the impacts of the training in the lives and businesses of our beneficiaries and how we facilitated the participation of many LGBTQI entrepreneurs in small business fairs throughout the country.

Woman with dark hair in the foreground, holding a small microphone. Behind her are tables and a crowd of people
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Thalyne’s Story

Find out how Thalyne, who concluded our 9th small business training and our 2nd Acceleration Programme in Brazil, was able to expand her business and organize the first LGBTIQ+ business fair in the north of the country.

Economic empowerment & advocacy

Ian’s story

Ian is a trans entrepreneur from Brazil who joined our training during the pandemic in the hopes of improving his business skills. Find out how he managed to expand his business, open his own vegan restaurant and increase his income more than 10 times in less than a year.

Macuco's story
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Macuco’s story

Macuco, a lesbian craft beer business from the south of Brazil which managed to overcome the damages of the pandemic, boost their sales and expand their brand after attending our first Business Acceleration Programme, in partnership with Meta and Aliança Nacional LGBTI+.

Accelerating LGBTQI businesses in Brazil
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Accelerating LGBTQI businesses in Brazil

Between September 2021 and April 2022, we held our first Business Acceleration Programme for LGBTQI entrepreneurs in Brazil, in partnership with Meta and Aliança Nacional LGBTI.

9th small business training
Economic empowerment & advocacy

9th small business training for low-income LGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in Brazil

On May 2022, we started our 9th small business training for low-income LGBTQI people in Brazil. Find out how the selection process went and how we hope to support 42 entrepreneurs across all regions of the country, including the most vulnerable members of our community, in the development of their small businesses and improvement of livelihoods.

Wanessa with her make-up
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Wanessa’s story

Wanessa is a trans woman living in poverty in Rio de Janeiro. After undertaking MRIF’s small business training in 2020, her life changed completely. Training enabled her to improve her skills, increase her income and overcome barriers and fears.

8th small business training
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Giving hope to LGBTI entrepreneurs in Brazil amid the pandemic

MRIF held its eighth training for low-income LGBTI entrepreneurs in Brazil between April and July 2021. Giving hope to our beneficiaries amid the pandemic and increased support networks for LGBTI entrepreneurs across the country.

9th Course
Announcements

Ficha de Inscrição

As inscrições para o curso estão abertas até 24/04/2022

6th Course Students
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Supporting LGBTI entrepreneurs amid Brazil’s crisis

The impact of MRIF’s 6th small-business course for LGBTI entrepreneurs in Rio de Janeiro and how it contributed to their socio-economic empowerment amid Brazil’s crisis.

Andréa Brazil
Economic empowerment & advocacy

Through the eyes of a trans activist

To celebrate Transgender Visibility Month, we share the story of a trans activist who joined our small business course and became a member of our Brazil team.

Economic empowerment & advocacy

LGBTI entrepreneurship

Micro Rainbow launches a pioneering publication, “LGBT Entrepreneurship: case studies of socioeconomic empowerment in Rio de Janeiro between 2015-2017”.

Economic empowerment & advocacy

Winners of an entrepreneurship award in Brazil

The Micro Rainbow Brazil Project received the Láurea CAF 2017 award, which acknowledges the best initiatives in support of micro entrepreneurship in Brazil promoted by