Caruaru’s Violence Prevention Observatory (VPO) broke new ground by moving away from the traditional passive crime-monitoring model and adopting a predictive, cross-sectoral, and place-based approach. Unlike other observatories that merely systematize crime statistics, the VPO began collecting and cross-referencing disaggregated data from various public policies to identify risk factors and guide preventive action. The creation of territorial committees composed of frontline public servants was also unprecedented, enabling a coordinated and continuous response grounded in local realities. The initiative stands out for institutionalizing the strategic use of data in social policies to proactively and integratively prevent violence.

The Violence Prevention Observatory (VPO) is currently undergoing expansion within the municipality of Caruaru. Following the successful implementation of its methodology in the pilot territory TGS-5, the data collection model and the operation of Territorial Committees have begun to be replicated in other areas of the city, as outlined in the project’s official handbook. The municipal government has recognized the strategy’s potential and has started incorporating it as a public policy, fostering greater interdepartmental integration, strategic use of data, and preventive action across different parts of the municipality. This process marks a step forward in the institutionalization of the innovation and the strengthening of a prevention-oriented, evidence-based culture.

The initiative was led by the Municipality of Caruaru, with direct involvement from the Department of Planning, Budget, and Management (SEPLAG), and active support from the following municipal departments: the Department of Social Development and Human Rights (SDSDH), the Department of Policies for Women (SPM), the Department of Education and Sports (SEDUC), and the Department of Health (SMS). Comunitas and the Open Society Foundations provided technical support.

Vulnerable citizens — such as youth, women, and individuals reintegrating from the criminal justice system — benefited from more targeted and preventive policies. Public servants gained access to qualified data to support decision-making and foster cross-sectoral coordination. The municipal administration enhanced its capacity to respond more effectively.

To date, the innovation has generated concrete results, such as improved data collection and analysis, enabling more accurate decision-making. The number of psychosocial support professionals in schools increased from 8 to 22, addressing a demand identified by the VPO. The impacts have been measured through the monthly analysis of data collected from municipal departments and the implementation of cross-sectoral workflows. Looking ahead, the model is expected to expand to additional territories, helping to reduce cases of violence and increase the effectiveness of public prevention policies. Additionally, the Department of Planning, Budget, and Management (SEPLAG) developed a Power BI dashboard that consolidates data collected from the four participating departments: the Department of Policies for Women, the Department of Education and Sports, the Department of Social Assistance, and the Department of Health.

The main challenge was the resistance from municipal departments to share disaggregated and digitized data, which hindered information integration. Additionally, manual data collection and the lack of integrated systems made the process slow and prone to errors. These difficulties were addressed through staff training, the implementation of digital forms, and the development of simple solutions, such as adapting the Siprev system to improve data collection in schools. Persistence in fostering cross-sectoral coordination and raising awareness among municipal teams helped overcome these obstacles.

For the success of an innovation like the VPO, certain conditions are essential: adequate digital infrastructure for data collection and analysis, ongoing technical support for team training, and strong leadership to ensure alignment across departments. The availability of financial resources is critical for sustaining and expanding the model, while team motivation and leadership commitment to fostering a culture of cross-sectoral integration and transparency are key to the project’s continuity. Moreover, political support is fundamental to institutionalize the innovation as a permanent public strategy.

Yes, the innovation has been replicated in other territories of Caruaru, through the expansion of the Territorial Committees model and intersectoral data collection. The potential for replication is high, as the integrated and data-driven approach has proven effective in diverse contexts. Other municipalities can adopt the model to address similar challenges by adapting it to their local realities. Furthermore, other levels of government can scale the approach to different areas of public administration.

The main challenge was the resistance from municipal departments to share disaggregated and digitized data, which hindered information integration. Additionally, manual data collection and the lack of integrated systems made the process slow and prone to errors. These difficulties were addressed through staff training, the implementation of digital forms, and the development of simple solutions, such as adapting the Siprev system to improve data collection in schools. Persistence in fostering cross-sectoral coordination and raising awareness among municipal teams helped overcome these obstacles.

A key aspect to highlight is the importance of building a system that integrates the databases of the departments involved in the project. This integration significantly facilitates data cross-referencing, reducing the time spent on operational tasks and increasing agility in generating diagnostics and making decisions. With data organized on a shared platform, it becomes possible to act more strategically, directing preventive actions with greater precision and efficiency.