The “Trem das Artes” store opened two spaces at the Governador Valadares railway station, in Minas Gerais, to sell products from participants in the “AGIR” Program (Support to Generation and Increment of Income). Since December, always on Fridays and Saturdays, there is an exhibition and sale of key chains, fridge magnets, games, dolls, decorative objects, cookies, sweets, among other items, in a store at the station and in a kiosk cart on the boarding. The spaces were provided by Vale, and the activities maintain the necessary care in the face of the pandemic.  

“AGIR” is a Vale Foundation initiative focused on social businesses. Through training, technical, and managerial assistance, mentoring, direct investment and monitoring, the project aims to generate new opportunities for qualified work in the communities where it operates and contribute to local development and economy. In Governador Valadares, the program started in 2019, from working with 81 entrepreneurs and eight businesses. In the municipality, the program was carried out in partnership with the Integrated Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Programs (CIEDS). 

To conclude, Livia Zandonadi, manager of the Southern Territory of the Vale Foundation, comments:

“AGIR seeks to qualify local entrepreneurship. The inauguration of the Trem das Artes is another step in this direction. A collective space for the commercialization of products made during the program.”