The Center for Public Administration and Government Studies (CEAPG) is the oldest research center of the Getulio Vargas Foundation’s São Paulo Business and Management school (FGV/EAESP). It was set up in 1989 to gather together the few members of the academic staff who at that time were dedicated to studying public issues.
The post-military 1988 Federal Constitution placed an emphasis on the decentralization of social policies and the engagement of the public, either directly or through civil society organizations, in policy formulation and evaluation. As a result, the new Center decided to focus its efforts on the challenges facing state and local governments. It was one of the first research centers to use the term “subnational” and this continues to be the main focus of its research effort, much of which is carried out as applied research directed to specific issues and settings.
From 1995 to 2005, in partnership with the Ford Foundation and the support of the country’s National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), the Center was responsible for the Public Management and Citizenship Program. This was an annual award for sub-national public organizations (state, municipal, executive, legislative, judicial and the original peoples' own organizations) that innovated in the ways they provided public services. It drew on the experience of similar award programs in the USA and the Philippines and went on to be part of a network of similar programs in Chile, China, Mexico, South Africa and for the first Nations in the USA. The awards program generated 20 books, numerous articles, dissertations and theses and a database of more than 8,200 innovative experiences.
Building on the extensive evaluation work carried out during the Innovations Program, the Center is regularly called on to analyze, monitor and evaluate social actions and projects by public agencies, foundations and non-governmental organizations, both national and international. Amongst these have been the Hewlett Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, World Wildlife Foundation, European Union, Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP), Lemann Foundation, Alcoa, Natura Institute, Unibanco Institute, Votorantim Institute, Roberto Marinho Foundation, Todos Pela Educação, The Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), Suzano Papel e Celulose, Telefónica, Sustainable Energy of Brazil S.A. (ESBR), Brazilian Public Safety Forum, Federal Council of Psychology, Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI), Controller General of the Union, The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Municipality of São Paulo, Comunitas, Conectas, BIS Fund, The Brazilian Center of Analysis and Planning (CEBRAP), Peninsula Institute, IDERE Latam, The University of Warwick, among others.
The Center, currently coordinated by Professor Fernando Abrucio, can draw on 40 researchers from various fields as well as the school’s postgraduate and undergraduate students. It is organized in four thematic areas: Education (Fernando Abrucio); Relations between State, Philanthropy and Civil Society (Mário Aquino Alves); Technology and Government (Maria Alexandra Cunha) and Urban Vulnerability (Peter Spink).
For more information, visit our website: http://ceapg.fgv.br
E-mail: ceapg@fgv.br
