Itaú Unibanco, in partnership with the consultancy Mais Diversidade, launches the notice on August 20th LGBT+ Pride, which will select projects that aim to promote the appreciation of LGBT+ diversity issues in Brazil.
Individuals and legal entities, groups or collectives that already develop or intend to create initiatives aimed at the LGBT+ community, with proposals that are appropriate to the focus of the notice, without any ties to political parties or groups, and established and active in the national territory, may apply for the selection process. Applications can be submitted until the end of November on the website www.prosas.com.br.
Proposals of a cultural, educational, sporting or social nature that contemplate respect and appreciation of LGBT+ diversity throughout the country will be accepted. Regional representation and action in conjunction with other pillars of diversity, such as race and ethnicity, gender, people with disabilities, age, generations and refugees are some of the other criteria to be analyzed by the curators.
The notice foresees the allocation of R$ 200 thousand reais in total, which will be distributed to up to four projects that will be selected based on the curation of Ricardo Sales, partner of the consultancy More Diversity and a panel composed of Itaú and members of civil society.
The selected projects will receive financial support and periodic mentoring from Mais Diversidade, as well as support for publicizing their actions. In addition, projects by individuals will receive support from Itaú Unibanco in formalizing their ideas.
"THE LGBT+ Pride aims to stimulate the transformative power of the LGBT+ community in Brazil by encouraging the development of actions that help build an environment in which safety, visibility and respect are concepts that are present and guaranteed in their daily lives”, says Claudia Politanski, Executive Vice President of Legal, Institutional and People at Itaú Unibanco.
The full notice can be accessed on the website www.prosas.com.br.
Commitment made
Formally embracing the cause is also necessary. In the same week that the LGBT+ Pride call for proposals was announced, Itaú took another important step by reinforcing its commitment to respecting and promoting the human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transgender people, mobilizing its value chain and influencing society. The institution signed the letter of adhesion to the LGBT Business and Rights Forum and its work agenda, expressed in the Company's 10 Commitments to the Promotion of LGBT Rights. They are:
- Commit – presidency and executives – to respect and promote LGBT rights.
- Promote equal opportunities and fair treatment for LGBT people.
- Promote a respectful, safe and healthy environment for LGBT people.
- Raise awareness and educate about respect for LGBT rights.
- Encourage and support the creation of LGBT affinity groups.
- Promote respect for LGBT rights in communication and marketing.
- Promote respect for LGBT rights in the planning of products, services and customer service.
- Promote professional development actions for people in the LGBT segment.
- Promote the economic and social development of LGBT people in the value chain.
- Promote and support actions in favor of LGBT rights in the community.
The bank is also discussing internal strategies and practices to raise employee awareness about the need for inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, to make the work environment more democratic, welcoming and safe for both employees and customers, suppliers and other stakeholders with whom the bank interacts.
Governance on the topic of diversity has been expanded within Itaú Unibanco and, currently, five areas support, discuss and act in different roles on the institutional agenda. There are working groups formed by leaders and others by employees who act as a support network. These are responsible for opening space for topics related to diversity causes in 360 degrees, structuring and supporting the dissemination of internal and external actions.
“Commitments and initiatives to promote LGBTQ+ rights are a very important step in protecting people’s rights, promoting an inclusive and safe environment that truly respects differences, in addition to promoting change, as also highlighted by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Focusing on human rights is strategic and essential for companies that seek to do business with a positive impact on society,” says Denise Hills, Superintendent of Sustainability and Inclusive Business at Itaú Unibanco.
