Política pública e sustentabilidade no campo da economia solidária: uma análise à luz da experiência baiana dos Centros Públicos de Economia Solidária (Cesols)

Abstract

This thesis has analyzed public policies in the context of the solidarity economy. The general objective of this work is to study the effects of the Solidarity Economy Public Policies implemented through the technical assistance services provided by the Public Solidarity Economy Centers (Cesol) to improve the sustainability of Solidarity Economy Enterprises (SEE). Its specific objectives are: discuss the concept of solidarity economy and sustainability considering Karl Polanyi’s pluralistic perception of economy; discuss the concepts of public policy and evaluation criteria; systematize and analyze the Cycle of the Solidarity Economy Public Policy of the Bahia State (2007-2018); systematize and analyze information about the Cesol of the Metropolitan Territory, the Cesol of the Territory of Piemonte Norte do Itapicuru, Piemonte da Diamantina and the municipalities Monte Santo, Cansanção, Itiúba, Queimadas and Nordestina, and the Cesol of the Irecê Territory; analyze the results regarding EES sustainability achieved (economic, social, cultural, political, self-management, and environmental dimensions) by the three Cesol units examined. The study is pertinent as it contributes to understand the social relevance of the object of the analyzed policies and how their nature and evaluation criteria relate to their sustainability. In the field of solidarity economy, aspects related to origins and context, concepts and practices were addressed, including the notion of plural economy, and the main challenges and distinctive features in the context of substantive management and sustainability (economic, social, cultural, political, self-management, and environmental dimensions). Other topics addressed in this study are public policy evaluation criteria and co-construction. This research is of a qualitative nature and uses three analysis cases within the object, having as main sources of information interviews, focus groups, and documentary analysis. Overall, the results of this research showed that public policy has the potential for inducing development and strengthening solidarity economy, but the sustainability of solidarity economy practices is also influenced by other elements. In the economic dimension (the mercantile component), there have been advances regarding product commercialization (due to the expansion of sales channels, greater product quality and diversification, and strengthening of networks, etc.). However, in many cases, the income obtained through the SEEs does not represent the main source of family income. In the same dimension, public and private subsidies were identified. In the social dimension, advances towards youth and women’s empowerment were observed. In the self-management dimension, the economic feasibility studies, training activities, exchanges, and consultancy services have all contributed to educate SEE members. In the environmental dimension, concerns regarding the agroecological production and the type of material used in artisanal production were observed. However, there are other factors that affect the sustainability of EES, in addition to public policy.