The agroecological network ecovida: a strategic innovation fostering sustainable territorial development in the coastal zone of Santa Catarina State?

Abstract

Facing the challenges of the global ecological crisis and the urgent need to foster new strategies of rural sustainable development, this article provides a detailed analysis of one agroecological network operating in the coastal zone of Santa Catarina State – the so-called Rede Ecovida de Agroecologia. Drawing mainly on the methodology for social network analysis, the author argues that the general pattern of organization assumed by this newtwork remains - until now - not suited to follow the operational demands and guidelines of the sustainable territorial development planning approach.