Decree No. 12.981 creating the National Policy on Traditional and Popular Cultures.

This Decree establishes the National Policy for Traditional and Popular Cultures with the primary objective of promoting integrated and intersectoral measures for the recognition, preservation, protection, promotion, and valorization of traditional and popular cultural expressions in Brazil. It seeks to safeguard cultural identities expressed through practices, knowledge, and technologies transmitted across generations, while ensuring the recognition of cultural rights and the protection of traditional knowledge and territoriality. The decree also identifies key beneficiaries, including cultural masters and communities, and defines principles such as social participation, diversity, cultural rights, and the integration of cultural policies with broader public policies. In addition, the decree aims to strengthen cultural systems by expanding access to public cultural policies, funding mechanisms, and cultural goods, while fostering intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, and equity across ethnic, gender, and socio-economic dimensions. It promotes the transmission of knowledge, capacity-building, and collaboration between communities, research institutions, and public authorities, alongside the development of sustainable cultural economies and income generation. The policy also establishes governance and coordination mechanisms involving federal entities and society, supported by public and private funding sources, to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and long-term sustainability of traditional and popular cultures.