This paper introduces a proposal of an instrument for the evaluation of local social development projects, based on the perspectives of the theory-driven evaluations, named Coordenadas GPS. The model uses a qualitative and quantitative approach in which both individual’s perceptions and the analysis of several variables and indicators are crucial. Assessments are particularly relevant in social intervention to understand what happens and why. This instrument will allow the collection of comprehensive information about the efficacy and the efficiency of the projects, in the framework of a system of learning, reasoning and monitoring of the interventions. The proposed evaluation tool is understood as a useful device for the capacitation and empowerment of the populations, staff, institutions and communities targeted by territorial social development projects.

The participation of municipalities in education is now an unavoidable reality. The local level has become a space for the construction of educational policies, where local authorities, schools and other actors share interests and objectives, causing processes of “socio-community regulation” (Barroso, 2013). Also called upon to intervene are other external elements, with specialized knowledge that can guarantee rigor and impartiality. Based on the presentation of the methodology and results achieved in the conception of the Strategic Educational Plan of the Municipality of Alvito (PEEMA), this paper shows the potentialities of participatory and community-shared processes as na appropriate method for the construction of local public policy instruments.

This article presents the main lines of an ethnographic observation study of the participant publics in a theatre performance: who are they, how did they get there, what do they do and what do they think of this process? The play is part of a new program cycle at the Maria Matos Municipal Theatre in Lisbon and was put together with a group of residents from the Lóios and Amendoeiras neighbourhoods in Marvila. With the theoretical underpinning of the multiple genealogies of the phenomenon of collaborative art, and in the Portuguese case, the empirical research of T. Lopes and S. Dias (2014), the aim of this work is to analyse the co-creation process and discuss the extent to which it is influenced by the proliferation of collaborative artistic practices and the ways in which culture is currently produced, diffused and performed.

Informal developers, bricklayers and unlicensed contractors have built, since 50s and 60s, “illegal districts”in Lisbon. Since 2008, Lisbon Municipality has circumscribed and controlled the growth of Urban Area of Illegal Origin (AUGI) based on a specific law. Landowners and landlords are now co-responsible to co-finance and manage all of the reconversion processes through their participation in Joined Administration Commissions with the Municipality. Participation of local partners and residents in a participated planning process (Friedman, 2011) is a key factor for a well-balanced urban planning to promote social inclusion. Participated methods like focus groups (Kruger & Casey, 2000), community mapping (Pathways through Participation, 2010) and photo-voices (Wang, 2006) were used in this process. This paper presents a “work in progress”, beginning with the development of an intervention methodology and ending on a methodology to manage social and urban change processes that aim to mitigate unintended social impacts.

The following essay presents some critical considerations about the importance of sociological research focused on issues of small-scale fisheries sustainability and local sustainable development. Assuming the Azorean Artisanal Fisheries as an object of research in Social Sciences, this critical analysis gives some inputs to promote a wider reflexion about the responsibility of sociological research when addressing the challenges that small-scale fisheries are facing nowadays. We further aim to give some inputs to the discussion about the need and role of Social Sciences contributes when working in intervention strategies and sustainable management. These reflections emerge from field research, in which participant observation notes were collected, an exploratory survey was applied and focus group sessions with local actors took place.

This article presents the Integrated Care methodology and goes over its implementation in the municipality of Loures. It also discusses how this specific methodology and the case manager has assumed prominence in the practices of Social Services. The analysed data is based on interviews with “privileged informants”: the two Coordinators of care and integrated Social Monitoring, both Social Workers. The article concludes with a brief discussion on the potentialities and constraints of the Integrated Care methodology and outlines some suggestions for its day-to day application.

The objective of this work is to disseminate knowledge, experiences and reflections that the authors consolidated throughout their participation in projects financed by the European Union and by national programs. It also aims to debate several considerations on the adequacy of the basic training of graduates in Sociology, gaps in our training in hard skills, and the importance of acquiring soft skills required for future professionals in social intervention projects.