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IFIA Magazine March 2025

Associations (IFIA) and ABIPIR – the Brazilian
International Association of Inventors,
Scientists, and Innovative Entre-preneurs,
I conducted a mini-course on fundraising
specifically tailored to the recycling sector. This
mini-course brought together a talented group
of participants, including businesspeople,
government agents, and enthusiasts passionate
about solving challenges in the recycling
industry.
Over three hours of intensive hands-on
activities, participants were introduced to the
critical aspects of preparing proposals for
economic subsidy programs. Topics covered
included qualifying factors, eligibility and merit
criteria, and effective pitch strategies. Drawing
on my experience of securing over 35 million
USD in funding, preparing subsidy notices, and
evaluating projects, I guided participants as
they formed teams to develop and present
proposals in the form of pitches.
The session was a remarkable showcase
of talent, proving that anyone, with focus,
resilience, and an understanding of opportunity
and proposal preparation, can secure funding
to bring their innova-tive and sustainable ideas
to life.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Mirela Souto,
President of Instituto Marca—established by
Marca Ambiental, a leading Brazilian company
in sustainable solid waste processing—and
to Andrea Araújo Reggian, whose exceptional
organization of the event ensured its success.
I am confident that some course participants
will soon celebrate securing economic subsidies
to cre-ate, refine, and launch their innovative
solutions in the waste processing sector. This
progress under-scores the importance of waste
processing as a vital component of sustainable
industry develop-ment.
Let us always remember: financial resources
come first, then dreams. Without the necessary
fund-ing, it is impossible to turn solutions for
global challenges into actionable realities.
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