Constitutional duty to monitor public policies: an analysis of the National Zero Waste Program in the brazilian Northeast

Abstract

The article aims to address two guiding research questions: (i) considering the analyzed sample, what are the results and the effectiveness of the National Zero Dumps Program (Programa Nacional Lixão Zero) in ensuring the proper disposal of solid waste in the five municipalities in Brazil’s Northeast region covered by cooperation agreements with the Federal Government; and (ii) whether the program includes structured mechanisms for monitoring its results. The research is justified by the scarcity of empirical studies on the effects of the program in the Brazilian Northeast, as well as by its contribution to the investigation of the realization of fundamental rights. The findings reveal limited results of the program, with a clear mismatch between the resources invested (inputs), the goods or services delivered (outputs), and the outcomes effectively achieved, in addition to the absence of structured monitoring mechanisms. The conclusion reached is that the lack of monitoring mechanisms is associated with the low effectiveness of the policy, with other relevant factors including the absence of rational and explicit criteria for the selection of beneficiary entities, and the lack of transparency and adequate information disclosure regarding the program. These conclusions are relevant for the design and implementation of public policies in Brazil, particularly those organized by the Federal Government and implemented through agreements with municipalities.