​Public and private partnership should invest up to R$ 200 million. Proposals for restoration or revitalization should be submitted from July 15.

The Neoenergia Institute,together with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and a group of four founding partners, launched, on Monday (12), the initiative Rescuing History, which aims to restore and revitalize material, intangible and memorial collections assets throughout the country. A public call will be made for the selection of projects to preserve the Brazilian historical heritage totaling R$ 200 million. Of these, R$ 50 million will be invested by partner companies and R$ 150 million by BNDES Cultural Fund, which has funds from the Federal Culture Incentive Law.   

The organizations that have already joined the initiative are: Neoenergia Institute, Ambev Brazil, EDP, Vale Cultural Institute and MRS Logística. All already have a history of historical heritage preservation actions, including tax incentives.  

"Rescuing history will be the largest program for the preservation of historical heritage ever undertaken in Brazil, bringing together efforts of public and private initiatives,"celebrates Bruno Aranha, Director of Productive and Socio-environmental Credit at BNDES. Taking care of our history is fundamental to understanding our identity and basis for building the future with sustainable development. It is a privilege to serve this purpose and I am sure we will be very proud of the results that we will deliver to Brazilians,"he adds.  

BNDES will complement the sources of resources for the chosen initiatives. Projects executed in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions can count on the participation of BNDES resources for up to 75% of the total investment. For those in the South region, it's 65%. In the Southeast, the Bank's maximum stake will be limited to 50%.  The difference is intended to stimulate projects in regions that traditionally have greater funding difficulties.  

"We are present in 18 states and the Federal District, regions with great artistic, cultural and architectural heritage. Through the Neoenergia Institute, we invest in the preservation of this heritage and are happy to participate in the foundation of the Project Rescuing History, which reinforces our commitment to Brazilian history and society",comments Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Neoenergia and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Neoenergia Institute.  

According to Eduardo Lacerda, President Ambev Brasil, "to preserve the country's historical heritage and memorial collection is to keep alive the Brazilianness that Ambev, as a Brazilian company, and our brands both believe, cultivate and support throughout our 100 years of history." 

"The appreciation of the Portuguese-Brazilian historical-cultural heritage is in the DNA of EDP, the largest Portuguese investor in Brazil. In recent years, we have made important commitments, such as the master sponsorship to the recovery of the Portuguese Language Museum and the Ipiranga Museum. The addition to Rescuing history represents another step in this trajectory of support for the preservation of brazil's memory and heritage",says João Marques da Cruz, CEO of EDP in Brazil.  

The BNDES selection will choose proposals for restoration, conservation or valorization of material and immaterial historical heritage that have been recognized by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). In the case of materials, projects that are only recognized by state or district bodies to protect historical heritage may apply. Memorial collections that have been listed by IPHAN, registered at national or global level by the United Nations Educational, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) or that are part of rare bibliographic collections in the "National Bibliographic Heritage Catalogue - CPBN" will also be included.  

To receive financial support, projects must have a minimum value of R$ 5 million and a maximum of R$ 50 million and have an execution period of up to 36 months. The financing will be in the non-refundable model, that is, it does not need to be paid, provided that the purposes of the project and the rules established in the contract are fulfilled.  

Historical assets and memorial collections may be publicly owned, in any sphere, or owned by an association or private foundation, provided that they are not-for-profit. The resources should be alused for activities that allow broad public access, free of charge or not. Proposals may be submitted from 15 July 2021.

Among the criteria used for the choice of projects during the selection are the relevance of the project for the preservation of historical heritage, the potential for generating employment and income in the economies of local cultures, the promotion of actions of engagement of the local population and property education, improvements in the management and governance of heritage-keeping institutions and the elaboration of a long-term financial sustainability plan of the institutions responsible for heritage.  

"MRS has been working strongly in the recovery of historical heritage. The company's support for Rescuing History is the confirmation of our commitment. We are present in states that are marked by railway culture. The initiative is an opportunity to be even more present in the recovery of this valuableassets", says the Director of Institutional Relations of MRS, Gustavo Bambini.  

Other interested companies may also join the initiative. For this they need to have prior adherence to the theme of historical heritage; record of support through the Federal Law on Incentive to Culture; and economic size.  

"For The Vale Cultural Institute, it is an honor to join BNDES and partner companies, which share the care with the preservation of The Brazilian historical heritage. We support and develop projects to protect and promote cultural goods and their memories; and now, as part of Rescuing History, we reaffirm this commitment to restore and revitalize assets and collections, valuing our history and roots, to better understand the present and take a look at thefuture", says Luiz Eduardo Osorio, Executive Vice President of Institutional Relations and Communication of Vale and Chairman of the Council of the Vale Cultural Institute.  

BNDES and support for Brazilian historical heritage

BNDES is one of the largest and most consistent supporters of Brazilian historical heritage: over the last 24 years more than R$ 600 million have been invested for restoration, preservation and revitalization projects of about 200 monuments located in all regions of the country. The preservation and reintegration of historical heritage into everyday life have the potential to induce a process of perennial revitalization, intensifying cultural tourism, the boosting of production chains and related economic activities, generating local employment and income.  

"For a tree to grow it depends on its roots. Similarly, it is impossible to seek sustainable development if we do not take care of our past. Recognizing the legacy that has been left to us is fundamental for all who seek to leave a legacy for the next generations aswell," says Petrônio Cançado, BNDES Credit and Guarantee Director.  

Increasingly, the private sector has shown interest in investing in projects capable of promoting lasting change in the communities in which they operate, including projects related to the preservation of heritage and historic cities.  

Given this scenario that BNDES saw the opportunity to foster and strengthen partnerships that unite public and private investments for a broader, coordinated and strategic performance to support the Brazilian historical heritage, with benefits for tourism activity and the local economy.  

Learn more about BNDES's support for projects to preserve and revitalize The Brazilian cultural heritage in www.bndes.gov.br/patrimoniocultural.  

About BNDES - Founded in 1952 and currently linked to the Ministry of Economy, BNDES is the main instrument of the Federal Government to promote long-term investments in the Brazilian economy. Its actions focus on the socio-environmental and economic impact in Brazil. The Bank offers special conditions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as social investment lines, aimed at education and health, family agriculture, basic sanitation and urban transport. In crisis situations, the Bank acts in an anticyclical manner and assists in formulating solutions for the resumption of economic growth.  

About Ambev - Ambev is a Brazilian company, based in São Paulo, which has 32,000 employees in Brazil and is present in 18 countries. It has the consumer at the center of decisions and initiatives, always with solid socio-environmental commitments. Its portfolio has recognized brands such as Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Budweiser, Stella Artois, Wäls, Colorado, Guaraná Antarctica, Fusion, Do Bem and AMA.  

About EDP in Brazil - With more than 20 years of experience and 10,000 direct and outsourced employees, EDP is one of the largest private companies in the electricity sector operating throughout the value chain. It was elected in 2020 the most innovative company in the electricity sector by the Valor Inovação ranking, from the newspaper Valor Econômico, and is a reference in Governance and Sustainability, being for 15 consecutive years in the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of B3.  

About MRS - MRS is a logistics operator that manages a railway network of 1,643 km in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, a region that concentrates about half of The Brazilian GDP. Today, the company is among the largest freight railways in the world: 20% of all that Brazil exports and a third of all cargo transported by trains in the country pass through mrs tracks.

About The Neoenergia Institute - The Neoenergia Institute promotes social development in neoenergia's 18 states, and in the Federal District, contributing to the expansion of the quality of life of vulnerable people and sustainable development through projects of: Training and Research, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Art and Culture, Social Action and Institutional Collaboration.  

About Vale Cultural Institute- For the Vale Cultural Institute, living the culture allows people to broaden their worldview. In 2021, it operates in more than 150 projects in 24 states and the Federal District, democratizing access and fostering culture, knowledge and strengthening the creative economy. It has a network of its own spaces: Memorial Minas Gerais Vale (MG), Vale Museum (ES), Centro Cultural Vale Maranhão (MA) and Casa da Cultura de Canaã dos Carajás (PA).