ICS Working Paper Nº1/2018

ICS W O R K I N G P A P E R S 2018 15 In sum, the inherently different database construction along with the variable definition of CBIs used and their differing categorizing typologies limit any comparative analysis. We nonetheless believe that these data collection outcomes are worth a closer critical analysis, since these represent, to date, the only available aggregated information on Portuguese CBIs. 2.2. Introducing Portuguese CBIs Portuguese CBIs’ main leitmotif is the acknowledgement of the shortcomings of the predominant contemporary socio-economic system, and the consequent need to foster local resilience and action in socio-ecological change. Sustainability, climate change, social inequality and vulnerability are the main thematic mobilization banners (Marques Balsa et al., 2016), whilst, surprisingly, the socio-economic crisis that sprang from 2009-2010 cannot be directly related to the CBIs’ rapid increase (Baumgarten, 2017). Despite these common drivers, a closer analysis reveals that CBIs have very specific and diverging action focuses, that range from earth and nature management to change in agricultural practices, health and well-being, culture and education, technology and construction, social organization, economy and finance, and so forth (Marques Balsa et al., 2016; Rede Convergir, n.d.). Concurrently, theme-wise, the classification categories among the three data sources ( CATALISE, Rede Convergir and ECOLISE ) diverge strongly. Yet, we can identify a small degree of overlap among the 10 typologies of CBIs between CATALISE and Rede Convergir (i.e. Permaculture, Transition or Economic and Finance). The remaining 7 categories do not have a directly identifiable correspondent in the other project. Furthermore, ECOLISE only offers a very narrow 4-type classification (see Annex 1 in Appendix A). According to Rede Convergir (n.d.) , most CBIs fall under the typologies of land management and agriculture (i.e. Permaculture, eco-villages, neo-rural settlements and urban gardening), and Transition initiatives. In turn, the majority of CBIs from CATALISE fit the typology of social intervention (i.e. education, formation/capacitation, employment creation and community development) (Marques Balsa et al., 2016). ECOLISE’s (n.d.) large majority (105) of CBIs falls under the typology of “Other” (ranging from education-, arts-, agriculture- to solidarity-related initiatives) followed by Permaculture (38). Geographically, combining the geo-spatial data from C ATALISE, Rede Convergir and ECOLISE , four regional clusters can be identified: the Alentejo and Algarve coast (mainly eco-villages), the triangular area between Coimbra, Santarém and Castelo Branco (mainly eco-villages, transition and permaculture), Northwest Portugal (predominantly eco-villages and permaculture), and finally Lisbon’s Metropolitan Area, Sintra’s municipality in particular, with the major concentration of diverse types of incentives (see Figure 4).