The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a new initiative aimed at improving access to health, education, and social assistance services in Salvador, the capital city of Bahia state in Brazil. The project, known as the Salvador Social III Program, targets approximately 1.7 million public health system users, 104,000 municipal school students, and 1.1 million individuals listed in Cadastro Único—the country’s registry for poor and vulnerable populations.
The program’s goal is to integrate service delivery across these sectors to enhance quality and reach for Salvador’s residents. This effort is expected to support a more inclusive workforce and improve productivity within the city.
Salvador's mayor Bruno Reis stated: “As Salvador Social enters its third phase, it reaffirms itself as the largest social investment program in the city’s history, with more than US$250 million invested in social assistance, education, and health during its first two phases – areas that are a clear priority of our administration. With the continued support of the World Bank, this new phase will deepen these advances by improving service quality, expanding innovation, and strengthening care for our most vulnerable populations.”
Cécile Fruman, World Bank Country Director for Brazil, said: “This program will help Salvador deliver better and more inclusive services in areas that are fundamental for people’s daily lives: quality healthcare, stronger schools, and more responsive social assistance. By investing in integrated service delivery and modern digital systems, the municipality is strengthening its human capital foundations and creating new opportunities for skilled jobs across the social sector.”
The World Bank is contributing US$120 million to this phase as part of a larger US$1.8 billion municipal initiative. The funding will be used to expand specialized health services—particularly those addressing non-communicable diseases—and improve educational outcomes through literacy programs and enhanced teacher training. It also aims to make social assistance programs more efficient by introducing digitalized systems.
These reforms are intended to raise service standards while reducing wait times for residents. Additionally, they seek to boost inclusion among vulnerable groups and build capacity within Salvador's health care, education, and social protection sectors.
More information about the initiative can be found on www.bancomundial.org.br or via their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bancomundialbrasil/.