Transformar Juntos discusses the responsibility of control bodies in local development

What is the role of oversight bodies in municipal development? How can these institutions contribute to the successful implementation of public policies? These were the starting points of the panel discussions held on Thursday afternoon (24), on the second day of Transformar Juntos, an event promoted by Sebrae in Brasília.

The debate was attended by the public policy coordinator at Sebrae/MS, Kassiele Nardi; the president of the Court of Auditors of Mato Grosso (TCE/MT), Antônio Joaquim; the public prosecutor in Bahia and coordinator of the management committee of the IDEA system, Otávio de Castro Alla; the Advisor for Project Preparation and Monitoring of the Public Ministry of Piauí, Nayrah Helyse Machado; and the president of the National Association of Members of the Public Ministry (Conamp), Tarcísio Bonfim.

The speakers emphasized that implementing effective public policies necessarily requires integrated action. "If we want a Public Prosecutor's Office and oversight bodies that are legitimized to act, we need to be close to those who have been legitimized by the public and are working alongside us," emphasized Otávio Alla.

For example, initiatives from these agencies were cited, such as the "Elas no Controle" project, which seeks to break cycles of domestic violence by promoting financial independence. The program is the result of a partnership between Sistema S and local municipalities. Launched in Piauí, the project provides training for vulnerable women, especially in the beauty and fashion industries, in addition to providing kits for them to start their own businesses.

We held meetings with these women to find out what skills they had, the municipality's workforce needs, and from there, we made requests to Senac and Senai.

Nayrah Helyse Machado, representative of the Public Ministry of Piauí.

Councilor Antônio Joaquim highlighted two initiatives that demonstrate the effectiveness of the partnership between oversight agencies and public administrators: the General Law for Micro and Small Enterprises and the National Public Transparency Program. The incentive for small businesses has been effective: in 2013, it mobilized all of the country's audit courts and resulted in a significant increase in the participation of SMEs in public procurement. He cited the example of Minas Gerais, where purchases increased by R$19.7 billion over a ten-year period.

"I believe that when we have a strong purpose that unites people, we can make development happen. Development happens in the municipalities," concluded debate moderator Kassiele Nardi.

Collaborative communities

The last lecture of the day, "Associativism as a Culture of Socioeconomic Development," featured Paulo Miotta, public policy consultant for Sebrae Nacional and FIPE; Anderson Cabido, mayor of Congonhas (MG); and Junior Utzig, project manager for Territorial Development and Agribusiness at Sebrae/RS.

Associativism focuses on collaboration around common interests, with decisions based on consensus. According to Anderson Cabido, the interaction between the institutional and social spheres is one of the foundations of economic development.

Strong institutions are a prerequisite for development. Human capital is also a prerequisite. I need good people, and development only happens when people develop. But development also only happens when you have strong entities and institutions. Anderson Cabido, mayor of Congonhas (MG).