| Cooperativa Integral Minga – rural sustainable development initiative | |
| Brief Description | The Cooperativa Integral Minga emerged following the Montemor Cooperatives Forum where several experiences of cooperatives were presented and it was discussed how the cooperative sector could respond to a variety of problems that affect the population of Montemor, namely: the lack of income/unemployment; inability to formalize productive activities; job insecurity; difficulty in access to housing and the effectiveness of this constitutional right; difficulty in accessing inputs for organic farming at affordable prices; difficulty in disposing of products; deterioration of the national health system; lack of alternatives in local commerce to access products with low ecological impact; among others. Based on good international practices, the cooperative seeks to include all the activities necessary to live (e.g., production, services, housing, health, education, etc.) in order to promote a circular economy in which exchanges and cooperation are fostered within the locality (preventing leaving income), as well as the reuse of resources, reducing the environmental impacts associated with production. The cooperative shares the costs of management (accounting, treasury and other administrative), a store to exhibit and sell products, a space for socio-cultural activities, distribution channels (e.g., participation in the municipal market of Montemor and fairs, distribution of baskets for consumption groups, among others), integration in solidarity economy networks, such as the Portuguese Solidarity Economy Network. Cooperators also talk about the difficulties faced by each one of them and seek ways of solving (collective purchase of products, sharing of work space, exchange of knowledge and services, etc.), which facilitate the progress of the business. |
| Image | – |
| European Country/Countries | Portugal |
| Field | Consuming: Healthy and Sustainable Consumption |
| Type | Intervention |
| Impact | Health, Equity, Environmental sustainability |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Target Group | General population |
| Evaluation | Yes |
| Level | Local, Regional |
| INHERIT Perspective | This project has been chosen for inclusion because of its role in promoting more sustainable forms of food production and consumption. MINGA encourages above all a change in consumer habits to favouring local products and respecting the seasonality of production.The consumption of agricultural products of the season has an impact at nutritional level. Moreover, these products result from a more biological agricultural practice, which will have an impact on environmental costs of food production and on consumers health. Finally, the relationship of closeness and cooperation that is created in the community may also have an impact well-being. |
| Detailed description PDF filename | Download file |
| Relevant links | http://mingamontemor.pt |
| Contact | Cooperativa Integral Minga CRL – Largo Machado dos Santos, 10, 7050-135 Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. Tel.: 266098354 Email: geral@mingamontemor.pt |
