The Senate approved this Wednesday (24) the complementary bill that releases BRL 3.8 billion to alleviate the economic and social impacts of the covid-19 pandemic in the cultural sector. The text goes to Câmara.
According to the rapporteur, senator Eduardo Gomes (MDB-TO), the cultural sector was the first to stop as a result of the current pandemic and, possibly, it will be the last to resume operations.
“Hence the need to continue helping, started in 2020 by the Aldir Blanc Law, to artists, content creators and companies that, together, make up an economic chain equivalent to 2.67% of the Gross Domestic Product and are responsible for around 5.8% of the total employed in the country, around 6 million people”, said the congressman.
Gomes highlighted that the proposal was named Lei Paulo Gustavo in honor of the artist, victim of covid-19. “[Ele] it was an example of talent, joy, solidarity with others and those most in need”, said the rapporteur.
The text determines that the amount of R$ 3.8 billion will come from the current financial surplus of the National Culture Fund (FNC). The Union will have to send this money to states, the Federal District and municipalities so that it can be applied “in emergency actions aimed at combating and mitigating the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on the cultural sector”. The resources will have to be released through a provisional measure to be edited by the Presidency of the Republic.
Of the total budget, R$ 2.797 billion will be earmarked exclusively for actions aimed at the audiovisual sector, in support of audiovisual productions, movie theaters, film clubs, exhibitions, festivals and training actions.
The remainder, corresponding to R$ 1.065 billion, will be allocated to emergency actions taken care of by the FNC in other areas of culture. There are public notices, public calls and other forms of public selection to support cultural projects and initiatives, including the maintenance of cultural spaces. Half will go to states and DF and the other half to municipalities and DF.
Offsets
The project determines that the beneficiaries of the resources must comply with counterparts, which can be the realization of free exhibitions; activities aimed at public schools, or private ones that have ProUni students, as well as members of cultural groups and collectives and community associations. Accountability is also provided for using the funds.
These counterparts, both for the audiovisual sector and for those benefiting through FNC notices, will have to occur within a period determined by governments and municipalities, in accordance with the epidemiological situation and the control measures of covid-19.
Seal
With the approval of the matter, states, the Federal District and municipalities are prohibited from transferring funds to beneficiaries of emergency actions provided for in the 2020 aid, the Aldir Blanc Law. The intention, according to the text, is to avoid duplication of financial aid in the same months of competence.
*With information from the Senate Agency
