#10: Multi-level governance contract

A flexible multi-level

Governance can be defined as the various institutionalised modes of social coordination to produce and implement collectively binding rules, or to provide collective goods (Börzel & Risse, 2010,p. 114).

Börzel, T. A., & Risse, T. (2010). Governance Without a State: Can It Work? Regulation & Governance, 4(2), 113–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5991.2010.01076.x

contract (e.g. between federal and state levels, which can take the form of a "Pact" between these parties), is a voluntary-based co-operation agreement. It is put down in a contract, addressing topics such as regional development, natural resources, infrastructure. 

Its aim is to strengthen coordination and policy coherence. Such a contract can help to set convergent objectives, build consensus, strengthen capacities, make commitments clear and transparent, provide common frames of reference, exchange information and trigger actions and decisions that better articulate priorities at all levels of government. As such, these negotiated agreements are essential to manage interdependencies and to commit political leaders beyond electoral mandates to depoliticize strategies while ensuring a certain continuity of public action. The other advantage of treaties is that they leave scope for adapting strategies to territorial specificities. Contracts are often used as an empowerment instrument to delegate functions, to control and co-finance projects and to manage complex issues.

The consolidation program for the Brazilian National Pact for

Water management refers to the activities of analysing and monitoring water resources, as well as developing and implementing measures to keep the state of a water resource within what has been negotiated as desirable bounds (Pahl-Wostl, 2015).

Pahl-Wostl, C. (2015). Water Governance in the Face of Global Change—From Understanding to Transformation. Wiesbaden: Springer International Publishing.

“Progestão” provided 100 million BRL (ca. 40 million USD) to the States that met the targets previously agreed with the federal government, following the principle of “paying for results”. The first incentive available to States was payed by the federal government in the very moment of the conclusion of the contract which established the participation to the

Water management refers to the activities of analysing and monitoring water resources, as well as developing and implementing measures to keep the state of a water resource within what has been negotiated as desirable bounds (Pahl-Wostl, 2015).

Pahl-Wostl, C. (2015). Water Governance in the Face of Global Change—From Understanding to Transformation. Wiesbaden: Springer International Publishing.

framework and the relative policy targets. Following the commitment to adhere to the rules included in the agreed framework, the National Water Agency works alongside the State to delineate the current condition of development and identify key challenges and a suitable management strategy. At the end of each year, the State Water Resources Council communicates whether or not the ANA federal targets have been achieved, a condition for the transfer of financial resources to the State. The ratio of this program is to foster mediation and empower States in the management of water resources. States who join the program benefit from an increased political commitment and a greater visibility of their own water sector.