Researchers Aline Gonçalves de Souza and Eduardo Pannunzio of Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Sao Paulo Law School won the first edition of the Civil Society Policy Impact Research Awards, organized by the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR), with their paper titled “The Role of CSOS and Academics in Changing Brazilian Public Policy: A Brief Case Study of Provisional Measure 870/2019.”

The award-winning paper describes efforts made with regard to Provisional Decree 870 of 2019, issued on January 1, 2019, which was the present administration’s first act. This decree, which established a new structure for the presidency and ministries, gave the Government Secretariat the function of “supervising, coordinating, monitoring and tracking the activities and actions of international organizations and NGOs in Brazil.”

The decree sparked harsh criticism in the press and civil society, as it paved the way for potential interference by the federal government in civil society organizations, which is banned by the Federal Constitution. In this context, the two researchers in question, who study civil society organizations at the FGV Sao Paulo Law School, understood that it would be important to promote dialogue with representatives of the federal government.

The 15^th edition of the Sao Paulo Dialogue Between the Public Authorities and Civil Society Organizations was then held, on February 21, 2019. This discussion forum, which has existed since 2014, is organized by the Sao Paulo Association of Foundations (APF), the FGV Sao Paulo Law School’s Coordination Area for Applied Legal Research (CPJA) and the National Internal Control Council (CONACI), involving periodic meetings at FGV’s main office. This edition of the Sao Paulo Dialogue had the theme of “The Federal Government’s New Architecture for Relations with Civil Society Organizations.” It was held in partnership with the Civil Society Organization Support Project, run by FGV and the Group of Institutes, Foundations and Companies (GIFE), which is supported by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and funded by the European Union and several other organizations.

Founded in 1992, ISTR is the largest international association focused on research and education in areas involving civil society, philanthropy and the social sector. It has more than 800 members in 84 countries, mainly composed of academics and researchers. Its goal is to create, discuss and develop cutting-edge knowledge related to the third sector. The contest was created in 2019 to reward researchers who document effective initiatives by civil society that have contributed to changes in public policy.