Ambiente & Sociedade (Apr 2021)

Step by step: a participatory action-research framework to improve social participation in coastal systems

  • Natalia de Miranda Grilli,
  • Mariana Martins de Andrade,
  • Luciana Yokoyama Xavier,
  • Cláudia Regina Santos,
  • Fernanda Terra Stori,
  • Cauê Dias Carrilho,
  • Felipe Otavio Nunes,
  • Caiuá Mani Peres,
  • Melissa Vivacqua,
  • Thiago Zagonel Serafini,
  • Paulo Antonio de Almeida Sinisgalli,
  • Cristiana Simão Seixas,
  • Pedro Roberto Jacobi,
  • Alexander Turra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4422asoc20190255r1vu2021l1ao
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24

Abstract

Read online Read online

Abstract Social participation enriches decision-making and is considered a civil right in many democratic countries, despite remaining a challenge. This paper presents evidence and discusses the evolution of social participation in the Araçá Bay (Southeastern Brazil), as a result of participatory action-research. Over three years, a process of social mobilization and participatory environmental assessment and planning engaged local stakeholders and resulted in a sustainable development plan. Enhanced social participation was evidenced by: (1) building trust among participants; (2) increasing knowledge of social-ecological features of Araçá Bay; (3) acknowledging different perspectives and interests about the bay; and (4) improving the understanding of management dynamics and institutions. The process led to the emergence of a local stewarded group that has the potential to foster the implementation of the sustainable development plan.

Keywords