About Observatório social de criciúma
Observatório Social de Criciúma: Improving the City through Transparency and Accountability
Observatório Social de Criciúma is a non-profit organization that aims to promote transparency, accountability, and social control in the public administration of the city of Criciúma, located in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Founded in 2012 by a group of concerned citizens who were tired of corruption and inefficiency in government services, Observatório Social has become a reference for civic engagement and good governance practices in the region.
The mission of Observatório Social is to monitor public spending, evaluate government programs and projects, propose improvements to public policies, educate citizens about their rights and duties as taxpayers, and foster partnerships between civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector entities (PSEs), academia, media outlets, and government agencies. By doing so, Observatório Social seeks to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Criciúma by ensuring that public resources are used effectively and efficiently.
One of the main activities carried out by Observatório Social is monitoring tenders for public procurement. This involves analyzing bidding processes from start to finish: from identifying potential suppliers to evaluating proposals based on technical criteria such as quality standards, delivery timescales or environmental impact. The goal is to prevent fraud or favoritism during procurement procedures while promoting fair competition among bidders.
Another important role played by Observatório Social is conducting audits on municipal accounts. This means reviewing financial statements submitted by local authorities regarding revenues collected from taxes or fees paid by citizens as well as expenses incurred on various projects or services provided by different departments within city hall. The purpose is to identify irregularities or discrepancies that may indicate mismanagement or embezzlement of funds.
In addition to these core activities related directly with monitoring public spending at local level ,Observatorio social also engages with other stakeholders such as schools , universities , media outlets and other CSOs to promote civic education, social responsibility, and ethical values. For example, Observatório Social has developed a program called "Cidadania em Ação" (Citizenship in Action) which provides training courses on topics such as citizenship rights and duties, public policies, budget management or environmental sustainability. This program is aimed at empowering citizens to become active agents of change in their communities by participating in decision-making processes or proposing innovative solutions to local problems.
Observatório Social also collaborates with PSEs through its "Empresas Cidadãs" (Citizen Companies) initiative. This program encourages private sector entities to adopt best practices in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by supporting community development projects or promoting sustainable business models that generate positive impacts on society and the environment. By partnering with PSEs ,Observatorio social aims at creating a virtuous circle where companies benefit from increased reputation , brand loyalty and customer satisfaction while contributing to the well-being of the community they operate in.
Overall, Observatório Social de Criciúma is an exemplary organization that demonstrates how civil society can play an active role in promoting transparency, accountability ,and good governance practices at local level .Through its various activities related directly with monitoring public spending as well as indirectly through civic education programs or partnerships with PSEs ,Observatorio social has become a catalyst for positive change in Criciúma . Its success story should inspire other cities across Brazil and beyond to follow suit by engaging citizens more actively in decision-making processes and fostering collaboration between different stakeholders towards common goals of sustainable development.
oscriciuma.org.br
