The present paper discusses the approach given to social participation within strategic environmental assessment (SEA) methodologies. The research question for this paper arises from allegations made by SEA methodologies that they are more participatory and more connected to sustainability than the traditional environmental impact assessment (EIA). Three methodologies from different authors were selected: (1) SEAN platform; (2) the European Union Commission and (3) the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA). It was found that social participation was presented in all three methodologies. However, the aspect is treated differently concerning its position among the steps for the SEA and the relevance of participation inside the whole process. Indeed, the view of social participation within those methodologies is very restrictive and limited to community involvement. Also, conflicts are usually neglected by the methodologies. Finally, there are no innovative tools for implementing a new approach to social participation that might establish SEA as more participatory than EIA.
strategic environmental assessement (SEA); metho-dology; environmental impact assessment (EIA); social participation
