Between decentralization and inequality: the organization of Special Social Protection within SUAS in small municipalities

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges involved in the organization of Special Social Protection (PSE) within the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) in small municipalities. It is a qualitative study based on bibliographic and documentary analysis, drawing on academic literature and normative frameworks of social assistance policy to reflect on the institutional, administrative, and operational constraints affecting the provision of specialized services. The discussion addresses issues such as the scarcity of human resources, the absence of specific facilities, funding difficulties, and the need for network-based coordination to ensure social protection for individuals and families experiencing rights violations. By emphasizing local management challenges, the article aims to contribute to the debate on the organization of PSE in contexts characterized by limited institutional capacity, highlighting the importance of strategies adapted to the specificities of small municipalities.