Programa Sertão Sustentável e capital social: Interface para o desenvolvimento sustentável local na Comunidade Quilombola Fonseca no município de Manaíra, PB

Abstract

This paper has its main purpose circumscribed to the understanding of Sustainable Sertão Program‘s (PrograaSertãoSustentável – PSS) interface and social capital for the local sustainable development in the Fonseca Quilombola Community, in the city of Manaíra, PB. Therefore, after an analysis of the main interpretive lines of social capital and sustainable development themes, this work aims to systematize the research from the description of the historical and cultural aspects of that community; the articulations among the actors involved in that program; and the actions of this program and their impact on community dynamics. The methodology used for the study was an exploratory research with quantitative and qualitative approaches, using as instruments participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and the Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital - SC-IQ. Initial results indicate that the Sustainable Sertão Program provided residents with increased access to water from a tubular deep well and implemented awareness campaigns and environmental education on the use of water, soil, and vegetation in the community. Regarding the measurement of Social Capital in the community, the results show that the community has a median concentration of this resource. This capital, boosted mainly by Quilombola Association of Fonseca, added to the shares of Social ACEV (Evangelical Action), NGO responsible for the Sustainable Sertão Program, provided improvements to local life quality. However, this community has a very distant reality from a considered successful experience for Local Sustainable Development.