Publication: Brazil's Bolsa Escola Program : The Role of Local Governance in Decentralized Implementation
Date
2005-12
ISSN
Published
2005-12
Author(s)
de Janvry, Alain
Finan, Frederico
Sadoulet, Elisabeth
Nelson, Donald
Lindert, Kathy
Abstract
This study analyzes the role of local
governance in the implementation of Bolsa Escola, a
decentralized conditional cash transfer program for child
education in Brazil. It is based on a survey of 260
municipalities in four states of the Northeast. The analysis
focuses on program implementation. Results show that there
was considerable confusion over the municipality s role in
beneficiary selection and consequently much heterogeneity in
implementation across municipalities. Social control
councils as direct accountability mechanisms were often not
in place and poorly informed, weakening their role. However,
electoral support for incumbent mayors rewarded larger
program coverage, presence of councils, and low leakages of
benefits to the non-poor.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“de Janvry, Alain; Finan, Frederico; Sadoulet, Elisabeth; Nelson, Donald; Lindert, Kathy; de la Briere, Benedicte; Lanjouw, Peter. 2005. Brazil's Bolsa Escola Program : The Role of Local Governance in Decentralized Implementation. Social protection discussion paper;no. 0542. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20383 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”