In Brazil, the Salvador Social Project stands as a transformative force in the lives of the city's most vulnerable

In Salvador, the vulnerable and impoverished are not hidden away but are a visible presence at tourist attractions, in every neighborhood, and in the makeshift dwellings that dot the cityscape. A solid social assistance system, with adequate funding, infrastructure, and dedicated teams, is vital to ensure that these individuals have access to income, their rights are safeguarded, and they have pathways out of poverty.

Enhancing this system proved to be a pivotal achievement of the Salvador Social Project, spearheaded by the city government of Bahia's capital with backing from the World Bank. Over five years, the project’s two stages accelerated numerous initiatives of the local government, covering social support, healthcare, and education.

To fully grasp the significance of this endeavor and its effects, one must first comprehend the workings of social assistance in Salvador and across other Brazilian municipalities.

Being listed in Brazil's Federal Government's Single Registry (CadÚnico) is essential for accessing federal programs and benefits like Bolsa Família, Gas Aid, and the social electricity tariff. Salvador Social expanded the number of Single Registry interviewers from 60 to 100, equipping them with internet-connected computers to widen service reach and enhance the dignity of service recipients.

The Central CadÚnico in the Comércio district, a key financial and service hub, is a prime example of this expansion. This historic building accommodates around 1,200 people on weekdays and 600 on Saturdays. The project's investment in this facility included weekend service expansion and the installation of air conditioning—vital for comfort in Salvador's tropical climate.

"This place is the gateway to all our social assistance services. We handle a lot of Single Registry work and other benefits, particularly for those living on the streets. But we're equipped to deal with all sorts of requests—we've even facilitated childbirth here," says Ivana Tonhá, who oversees the Single Registry and social benefits at the Municipal Secretariat for Social Promotion, Fight Against Poverty, Sports, and Leisure (SEMPRE). "We recognize that coming here can be a financial burden, sometimes equivalent to the cost of a family's bread. That's why we aim to provide excellent service, to prevent people from having to make repeated visits," Ivana adds.

Célia Santos, a 65-year-old retired school cafeteria worker, has observed the improvements firsthand. "The organization and politeness here are top-notch. It's a solid 10 in my book!" she exclaims, having visited to remove herself from the social electricity tariff.

Beyond the Central CadÚnico, the city offers 33 service units and a mobile CadÚnico with buses and trucks that reach various neighborhoods, ensuring accessibility for all residents.

Improving service delivery

The social assistance framework in Brazil, and Salvador in particular, includes the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) and the Specialized Social Assistance Reference Center (CREAS). CRAS focuses on preventing social vulnerability through a variety of programs, benefits, and activities that support families in need. CREAS steps in when rights violations occur, such as gender-based violence or child abandonment, and when socio-educational interventions are necessary. While CRAS and CREAS often collaborate, they are distinct entities.

Salvador currently has 28 CRAS and seven CREAS spread across 170 neighborhoods, but the need is greater. "Ideally, we would have 55 CRAS, but that would require additional state and federal funding," explains Emanuele Rodovalho, director of basic care at SEMPRE. "The pandemic has increased our Single Registry family count from 350,000 to 600,000, which translates to over 1.5 million people. Each CRAS is equipped to manage up to a thousand families."

Despite the limitations of the municipal social assistance system, the Salvador Social project has been a game-changer. "It has allowed us to upgrade our facilities, team composition, and service delivery," Emanuele notes.

The first phase saw nine CRAS facilities upgraded with renovations and new furniture, while another 10 relocated to larger, more accessible premises. The project also facilitated the first public contest to recruit social assistance professionals, reducing the high turnover previously caused by using general registers or staff from other municipal departments.

The second phase brought renovations and better equipment to six CREAS, enhancing the quality of service for users.

Elisama Brandão and her daughter Evelyn

Breaking the cycle of poverty

Taking inspiration from the successes of Salvador Social, the municipality invested its own resources to build the CRAS Valéria, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in December 2023. This model CRAS, which serves five peripheral neighborhoods, features 18 air-conditioned spaces across two floors, including areas for social and psychological services, workshops, Single Registry assistance, and a toy library, complete with free Wi-Fi and an elevator. All CRAS in the city are expected to meet this new standard in both infrastructure and service provision.

Elisama Brandão, a 43-year-old unemployed mother of five, expresses her gratitude: "This CRAS has been a godsend. It helped me secure Bolsa Família and housing aid, and the staff here are incredibly supportive." Before, Elisama resorted to begging to provide for her children, but now she can afford rent, clothes, and shoes for them.

Andresa Santos (pictured above), a 25-year-old solo mother, also shares her appreciation for the support she's received: "The facilities are excellent, and the service is warm and caring. They've been wonderful to me and my daughter." Currently relying on Bolsa Família, Andresa hopes to find employment as soon as she can place her daughter in daycare. "I'm looking for a decent job, and I want my daughter to have the best possible future," she says.

Despite significant challenges, particularly in a city like Salvador, these stories inspire social sector professionals to keep pushing forward and preparing for future hurdles. They also demonstrate the profound impact social assistance can have on the lives of the poorest, by narrowing the gap of inequality, fostering inclusion, creating opportunities, and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.