Collaboration: Building Capacity in the Brazilian Government

Driving Change in Brazil: A Partnership for Better Public Policy

Since 2019, we have had the privilege of collaborating with the Danida Fellowship Centre and The Danish Embassy in Brazil on an ambitious project aimed at building capacity through the application of Behavioural Insights. What began as an effort to introduce behavioural science principles into public policy has evolved into a long-term collaboration that reflects our commitment to working closely with partners to create sustainable change.

In 2023, this partnership entered a new phase with the establishment of CINCO, Brazil’s first dedicated governmental Behavioural Insights unit. CINCO is taking important steps in applying behavioural science to address complex challenges in governance, economic policy, and social development. Through our collaboration, we support CINCO in building the tools, skills, and frameworks needed to design and implement policies that aim to create measurable improvements in areas such as public health, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

This ongoing work is more than a simple advisory role; it’s about building lasting capacity within Brazilian institutions.
By integrating Behavioural Insights into both day-to-day decision-making processes and long-term strategic planning, we are helping to shape the future of public policy in Brazil. Our goal is to ensure that the knowledge and competencies developed through this collaboration will continue to benefit the country long after the initial projects are completed.

Our collaboration with Danida Fellowship Centre and The Danish Embassy in Brazil perfectly demonstrates how long-term partnerships can bring about real change. Through training, advisory, and partnerships, we are addressing key challenges in Brazil, while also providing a model for other countries interested in applying Behavioural Insights to their governance.

Capacity building has been a cornerstone of our work, and our efforts extend beyond Brazil. Over the years, we have welcomed participants from all over the world to Copenhagen to take part in our Masterclass, which offers hands-on experience and insights into the field of Behavioural Insights. Additionally, we have conducted Masterclasses in various countries, ensuring accessibility to those who can benefit most.

Behavioural Insights in Action: Masterclass in Brasília

In May 2024, we had the privilege of teaching 50 Danida Fellows from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico in a special three-day Masterclass. The programme provided an in-depth introduction to Behavioural Insights and our BASIC Framework, demonstrating how these tools can be applied across diverse fields. It was an incredible experience to work with such engaged participants and explore how Behavioural Insights can make a tangible impact in their respective contexts.

This ongoing collaboration highlights how sustained commitment and shared goals can lead to scalable and impactful outcomes that influence public policy and improve lives on a global level.

Below, watch a short video presentation of the Masterclass in Brasília, Behavioural Insights and Nudging: A tool for public sector change. You will meet some of the Danida Fellows and our close collaborators from Danida Fellowship Centre and the Danish Embassy in Brazil.