C.A.R.M.E.N.
Ribeira da Azenha, CP 668
7645-065 Vila Nova de Milfontes
Telephone: 963766814 / 917938062
E-mail: contact@carmen.pt
Meeting 
report
Introduction
On March 7, 2015, met producers and consumers from Cabazes da Horta and Cooperar Network, two initiatives that try to create local solidarity between producers and consumers in the Municipality of Odemira and other neighboring municipalities (Ourique, Castro Verde, Aljustrel, Santiago do Cacém and Sines).
The purpose of the meeting was to make the state of play about what has been achieved until now, difficulties encountered and possible solutions to mobilize more consumers in this concept and also more producers if there are enough consumers.
Also participated in this meeting people coming from Lisboa, Barreiro and Évora, wheter they are consumers or technicans/researchers involved in smiliar initiatives, namely the initiative Prove that was inspired inicially in Cabazes da Horta in Odemira and, since then, it has expanded in various municipalities of the country. Their participation was essential to enrich the discussion, exchange experiences, promote new ideas and create new cooperation ties.
Development of the meeting
The meeting which had the presence of over 70 people was held in the center of C.A.R.M.E.N. Association in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere of conviviality around a good meal prepared by producers with the participation of all.
In the morning, after a presentation of each one, we remembered the historical and the principals of local solidarity partnerships between producers and consumers, born in Japan in the 1960s and extending gradually in all countries of the world.
Presents the existing experiences in the region:
- The Cabazes da Horta, an initiative that began in 2003-2004 with two groups of producers living in two rural communities of the Municipality of Odemira (Corte Brique and Corte Sevilha) and consumers in the nearby villages (Odemira, São Teotónio, Vila Nova de Milfontes) and and that continues today despite the difficulties encountered, namely in mobilizing consumers, leading to widening consumer groups to Sines.
- Cooperar Network, an initiative born a few years ago created by producers in permaculture in Amoreiras and other nearby places as well as other citizens on a concept of local exchanges between people, each one may be a producer (of all kinds of products or respectful local environmental services) and consumers without distinction between these two categories. Also is confronted by the difficulty of extend the number of people involved.
Following these two presentations there has been a discussion about possible solutions to overcome the difficulties encountered, leading to formalize a set of proposals, also enriched by the experiences of those present elsewhere in the country (Lisboa, Palmela, Barreiro and Évora).
After lunch and conviviality, we follow several proposals to form three working groups which deepened and realized these proposals. Also we listen Maria João and Maria José from ADL, who participated in the afternoon, presenting the possible support under the rural development program.
The day ended with a summary of the conclusions of the three groups and future proposals and the Cooperar Network inviting all to a meeting on April 11 in Amoreiras to continue this exchange of ideas.
