The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of using public resources and training for the sustainable development of Brazilian municipalities. To reach this objective, the data from 5569 municipalities in 2017 were analyzed. The data were collected in the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) census and analyzed using structural equation modeling with PLS (Partial Least Squares). PLS is a structural equation modeling method that enables you to work with complex models on more than one level of latent variables. The results show that municipal resources have a positive impact on sustainable development. This means that the municipalities whose permanent employees socially participate in forums and workplace environment committees, which have specific financial resources for sustainability, present better economic and social performance. Such social participation also has positive effects on environmental performance in these municipalities. The study also showed that the training of government employees is fundamental for the implementation of environmental management programs and for improving the social performance of Brazilian municipalities.