Gestão pública municipal e o terceiro setor: parcerias no ciclo das políticas públicas em Mamanguape - PB

Abstract

Public policies are instruments that materialize the State's actions in response to social demands, covering areas such as health, social assistance, education, the environment, and others. Given their importance to society, this study sought to understand the partnerships between municipal governments and civil society organizations in the public policy cycle, particularly in small municipalities. It sought to identify partnerships established by the Mamanguape, Paraíba, public administration with the third sector, to verify how these partnerships are formalized, and to understand the role of the third sector in these partnerships. The research is based on theoretical references on the State, civil society, and partnership models, based on analyses of the relationship between the third sector and the public sector in Brazil. The method adopted was qualitative, with data collection through interviews with municipal administrators. The results show that these partnerships are important instruments in strengthening public policies developed in the municipality, but they present institutional weaknesses, such as the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the public policy cycle. This research contributes theoretically by expanding the debate on partnerships between public administration and the third sector in the public policy cycle in small municipalities. As a practical contribution, the research demonstrates the important role that organizations play, potentially improving existing relationships and inspiring other municipalities to foster new partnerships.