The Bolsa Família (family grant) program in Manguinhos: challenges and lessons learned in a case study

Abstract

This article discusses the results of an evaluation research on the implementation of the Bolsa Família, a conditional cash program targeted at poor families in Manguinhos, Brazil. The program pursues two main objectives: reducing current poverty and promoting human capital through the increased utilization of educational and health services. Connecting different agencies and stakeholders and building capacity for collaboration are two strategies associated with program effectiveness. Implementation evaluation showed that in Manguinhos, there were large gaps concerning the action’s adequacy in relation to the specific implementation context, intersectoral collaboration and shared knowledge. Evidence from this research was used to spearhead concrete changes in policy at the local level.