In March, Leme began implementing an impact evaluation project for violence prevention programs led by the Government of Ceará, under the Integrated Program for the Prevention and Reduction of Violence (PReVio). The goal is to assess the effectiveness of five programs targeting different groups, including women, children, adolescents, youth, and public security professionals.

In the first month of implementation, the project’s initial delivery was completed, including the development of the evaluation design and methodological alignment with partners. Following this stage, field activities began, including technical visits to the institutions responsible for implementing the initiatives.

As part of these initial activities, Leme conducted technical visits to agencies responsible for program implementation, including the Coordination for Education and Social Promotion of the Ceará State Department of Education (SEDUC), responsible for PADIN+. The visit was led by Alexandre Simões, an associate researcher at Leme, who monitored the program’s implementation and engaged with the responsible teams.

During the visit, discussions focused on implementation aspects, data access, and evaluation design. Preliminary analysis indicates variations in the execution of PADIN+ across municipalities, both in the number of families served and in team structures. Differences were also identified in beneficiary selection criteria, highlighting the need for standardization to support policy monitoring.

“We requested access to the program’s databases, including information on registered families and records of activities carried out. Access to identified data is essential for building comparison groups and conducting more robust impact analyses,” said Alexandre Simões, associate researcher at Leme.

Another topic discussed was the application of a vulnerability questionnaire, which is expected to support the standardization of selection criteria and help define control groups. The proposal was well received by local teams, who highlighted its potential to improve family monitoring.

About the programs

The project led by Leme includes the evaluation of five PReVio initiatives: Empodera, InteliGENTES, Laboratório de Perícias, PADIN+, and Virando o Jogo, which operate across different areas of violence prevention.

The evaluation results are expected to support the improvement of public policies in Ceará, informing decisions on the continuation, expansion, or redesign of programs and strengthening the use of evidence in the development of integrated violence prevention strategies.

PADIN+

PADIN+ is a program aimed at socially vulnerable families with children aged 0 to 6, focusing on strengthening parenting practices and preventing risks associated with neglect and maltreatment in early childhood. The intervention is delivered through structured home visits conducted by trained agents and is inspired by international early childhood development models. The impact evaluation examines effects on parenting practices, child development, and family well-being.

InteliGENTES

InteliGENTES targets students in the state public school system, from 6th to 9th grade, in priority areas. It focuses on strengthening socio-emotional skills and promoting a culture of peace. Implemented through classroom workshops using active methodologies, the program aims to develop skills related to coexistence, conflict resolution, school engagement, and decision-making. The impact evaluation examines its effects on school climate and the prevention of at-risk youth trajectories.

Virando o Jogo

Virando o Jogo is aimed at young people aged 15 to 19 who are out of school or in situations of greater socio-educational vulnerability, living in municipalities with high levels of youth violence. The initiative combines educational, cultural, and sports activities, regular in-person meetings, intersectoral coordination, and incentives for school retention or re-enrollment. The impact evaluation analyzes effects on school attendance, recurrence in risk situations, and social well-being.

Empodera

Empodera is a program for women who have experienced domestic violence, focusing on strengthening personal development and economic autonomy through initiatives linked to the solidarity economy. Lasting 10 months, the program is structured around modules on personal development, economic empowerment, and business incubation, combining training, technical support, and income transfers, including a monthly stipend and seed capital. The impact evaluation will assess effects on economic autonomy, personal development, and participants’ protection trajectories, including the prevention of revictimization.

Forensic Laboratory (Laboratório de Perícias)

The Forensic Laboratory is an initiative aimed at strengthening the public security and criminal justice system, with a focus on increasing homicide clearance rates and reducing impunity in contexts of high lethal violence. The program operates through investment in technological equipment, particularly in ballistics, toxicology, and software, and the expansion of these technologies to the interior, along with technical training, strengthening forensic infrastructure, and the adoption of integrated protocols among criminal investigation agencies. The impact evaluation analyzes its effects on clearance rates, recidivism, and institutional trust.