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

Passo-a-passo: uma estrutura de pesquisa-ação participativa para aumentar a participação social em sistemas costeiros

Paso a paso: un marco de investigación-acción participativa para aumentar la participación social en los sistemas costeros

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:
Social learning; Social-ecological systems; Araçá Bay