Brazil Revamps Policies on Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations
On March 12, President Silva updated Brazil’s regulation of partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to improve the management of public resources and to democratize access to partnership policy.
According to the government's news annoucement, the changes are the result of live and online public consultation, dialogue and activities in various states—with 400 contributions, 19 ministries participating—with the final proposal coordinated by a technical working group under Silva’s secretariat and leading to 170 changes in existing law.
Now, government programs executed in partnership with CSOs will focus more on results in social service delivery and social participation while reducing bureaucracy and increasing the transparency in public spending. The changes also aim to value those working in CSOs in terms of permanent employment and labor rights. More specifically:
1. Partners or beneficiaries can retain assets acquired through partnership for as long as useful in continuing social impact activities
2. Innovations in, and adjustments to, partnerships that don’t exceed 10% of a contract can be made without prior authorization
3. CSOs can demonstrate their experience and expertise, and projects costs, in ways that help the organization focus more on project results
4. Project funds won’t be terminated if CSO employees can be deployed to other projects
5. The complicated selection and accountability processes that prevents smaller CSOs from contributing to policy execution will be streamlined, including a) increased transparency in the selection process b) the covering of partner costs incurred in project preparation and delays c) the involvement of CSOs in creating public calls, including their access to an electronic platform for Proposals for Expression of Social Interest and d) CSO participation in selection committees
By expanding the public policy cycle and making the competition for grants more equitable, the government seeks to give populations in need more of a voice, to reach more people and to strengthen CSO-government relations.
