Voluntary federal transfers and resource application: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Voluntary federal transfers (VFT) play a significant role in the allocation of public resources in Brazil. To illustrate this importance, the federal government transferred BRL 58 billion from 2013 to 2018, funding 78,186 proposals from subnational entities. This article acknowledges the role of VFT in supporting local public policies and conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) using the protocol developed by Cronin et al. (2008). It examines the studies addressing VFT in Brazil through content analysis and proposes a research agenda on this topic. The SLR identified 12 studies primarily published in journals classified as B1 or higher by the Brazilian Qualis CAPES system, indicating adherence to stringent scientific production and dissemination criteria. The central scenario of each study was identified, enabling their classification according to the destination of the transferred resources. This research significantly contributes to the literature by filling a knowledge gap about VFT. It provides a robust foundation for future studies to support growth, development, and competitiveness in Brazil.