Economia solidária: evolução dos bancos comunitários na cidade de Manaus

Abstract

Community Development Banks (BCDs) are part of a branch of the solidarity economy that aims for sustainable development by generating jobs and income, focusing on underprivileged communities vulnerable to economic crises. Considering the inequality issues in Manaus, the research question arises: With an emphasis on the Aruak and Liberdade banks, what are the main contributions and challenges faced by community development banks in the city of Manaus? In this context, the research hypothesis assumes that community banks contribute to local development and face their greatest difficulties in Manaus due to the lack of government assistance. In order to validate this hypothesis, the general objective was defined as: to describe the values of Community Banks as part of the Solidarity Economy ecosystem for segments of society in economically vulnerable situations, highlighting the trajectory and challenges of the Aruak and Liberdade Banks in the city of Manaus, to understand the main contributions and challenges faced by these enterprises. In order to achieve this general objective, the following specific objectives were defined: a) verify the emergence of Community Development Banks within the Solidarity Economy; b) present the trajectory of the Aruak Bank and the challenges it faces to remain active in the Colonia Antônio Aleixo community; c) describe the trajectory of the Liberdade Bank and the challenges it faces to remain active in the Morro da Liberdade community. To that end, accounts were collected regarding the Aruak and Liberdade banks, and the study was broadened by accounts from the manager of Manaus’s Popular Solidarity Economy Center. This research highlights the importance of the solidarity economy, specifically the BCDs, for communities. The study also suggests that with governmental support, these institutions could significantly expand their impact, becoming an essential tool for the development of impoverished areas.