Transparência e participação na gestão pública: uma avaliação em profundidade do “Programa Controle Cidadão” do TCE (CE)

Abstract

This research aimed to thoroughly evaluate the “Transparency in Public Management – Citizen Control” Program of the TCE (Court of Accounts of Ceará), from the perspective of public governance. The theoretical framework underpinning the study linked public governance, social control, social participation, and transparency in the implementation of a public policy on access to information (Gohn, 2019; Marques, 2011; Boullosa et al., 2021; Angélico, 2012; Rodrigues, 2013; Heinen, 2015; Aló and Leite, 2009; Soares, 2024; Costa and Souza, 2020; Dahl, 2005; Di Marco and Terci, 2022; Lima and Portela, 2019, among others). The evaluative perspective of public policy is based on the In-Depth Evaluation approach, focusing on the analytical axes of content, context, and institutional trajectory of public policy by Rodrigues (2008). The research is characterized as qualitative with an applied nature. Data collection was carried out through bibliographic and documentary research (Marconi; Lakatos, 2011; Gil, 2022), semi-structured interviews (Triviños, 1987), and thematic oral history to understand the silenced voices of the subjects (Paugam, 2015). Data analysis was conducted using discourse analysis (Orlandi, 2009). The findings indicate the following results: (i) Regarding the content of the policy, the “Transparency in Public Management – Citizen Control” Program of TCE/CE, created in 2021, represents a significant effort to promote transparency and social control in the state of Ceará, with the literature highlighting the results obtained with the first specific objective; (ii) In the context of the policy, the analysis of the access to information policy, considering the perception of users of the “Transparency in Public Management – Citizen Control” Program of TCE/CE, reveals the importance of an integrated and citizen-centered approach to promote transparency and public governance. User perception is a critical indicator of the program’s effectiveness and should be carefully monitored to ensure that the program continues to meet its objectives of fostering more open and accountable public management; (iii) In terms of the institutional trajectory of the policy, the program should continue to play a crucial role in promoting more transparent and participatory governance. Thus, including new strategies to engage the population and adapting to new technological and social changes will be essential for the program's continued success.