IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “TRABALHANDO A LIBERDADE” PROGRAM IN AMAZONAS: THE SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES

Abstract

This study examines the admission selection process of the “Trabalhando a Liberdade” (Working for Freedom) Program as a key subprocess within the broader implementation framework, with particular attention to inclusion criteria and the actors involved as defined by two normative instructions. Drawing on bibliographic and documentary analysis, the findings indicate that the selection procedures differ significantly across the two normative instructions. The 2024 instruction comprises eight procedures involving technical assessments, collegial decision-making, and multiple actors. These actors vary in their degree of discretion, with some operating under more constrained decision rules, while others hold greater discretionary authority over decisions regarding beneficiary inclusion or exclusion. In contrast, the 2025 instruction introduces a more streamlined and centralized process, consisting of four procedures carried out by mid-level bureaucrats occupying distinct hierarchical positions, which correspond to varying levels of discretion and decision-making power. These differences suggest an ongoing process of institutional adjustment. Overall, the program’s implementation, particularly in the selection subprocess, remains in a phase of consolidation, characterized by adaptive changes and potential contestation within an interactive environment where the decisions of some actors may influence those of others.