Cooperativism and MEI Policy Boost Women-Led Small Businesses in Brazil
Cooperativism initiatives and updated MEI policies are empowering women-led small businesses in Brazil through mentorship, credit access, and legislative support.
- • Women hold 52% of cooperative jobs but only 22% of leadership roles in Brazil.
- • Programa Mulher Empreendedora offers mentorship and credit access to women entrepreneurs.
- • New MEI revenue ceiling will increase from R$81,000 to R$140,000 by 2028 to support business growth.
- • MEI micro-entrepreneurs can now hire two employees, enhancing business flexibility.
Key details
A vibrant movement supporting women entrepreneurs in Brazil is gaining momentum through cooperativism and timely government policy changes aimed at strengthening small businesses. Women account for 52% of jobs generated by cooperatives yet hold only 22% of leadership roles, spotlighting the need for focused empowerment efforts.
In Grande Recife, Vanusa Holanda and seven other women artisans formed the Cooperativa Amostradas, a cooperative that enhances business visibility, credit access, and collaboration. Holanda credits the cooperative model and the Programa Mulher Empreendedora—funded by Sescoop—for transforming her side hustle into a thriving main enterprise, emphasizing the value of affordable credit and mentorship. This program, which encompasses 42 women across several states, advances entrepreneurship via mentorship and financial education.
Similarly, in Balsas, the Associação das Mulheres Empreendedoras de Balsas (Ameb) started as a WhatsApp group and has grown into a formal association of 112 members. The initiative has improved financial literacy and provided vital community support, helping women like Ana Lúcia Miranda grow their businesses and find validation as entrepreneurs.
On the policy front, Minister of Entrepreneurship Paulo Pereira highlighted the government’s complementary law proposal that updates the Microentrepreneur Individual (MEI) revenue ceiling, raising it from R$81,000 to R$110,000 in 2027 and R$140,000 in 2028. This adjustment addresses a deflation that has inhibited growth since 2018. Pereira said, “Small businesses are responsible for driving the economy in thousands of Brazilian municipalities... This set of measures was designed to remove obstacles, expand opportunities, and provide conditions for millions of entrepreneurs to grow, hire, and prosper.”
The law also permits MEIs to hire two employees instead of one, giving micro-businesses more flexibility amid ongoing labor reforms and facilitating formal job creation. Coordinated among the Ministries of Entrepreneurship, Finance, Planning and Budget, and Public Service Innovation, the policy aims to create a more solid foundation for sustainable small business development.
Together, these cooperative programs and supportive policy reforms represent a synergistic effort to empower women entrepreneurs, foster leadership, and stimulate Brazil’s small business economy with a focus on inclusivity and resilience.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
