Desafios socioespaciais na região Central do Paraná e as iniciativas locais em Nova Tebas : alcances e limites

Abstract

The central theme of this dissertation is oriented by the analysis of local development in municipalities with tiny towns in the Central region of Paraná State. It is important to notice that we assume the municipality itself does not explain the reality it belongs to. So, we start with a problematisation at a regional level aiming to understand the municipal reality within a broader context. Thus, instrumentalised by Emater´s regionalization, we looked at the history and statistical data pertaining to the central region of Paraná according to the territory division established by the institution mentioned. The analysis of Nova Tebas town was essential to understand the depopulation process which occurs in several municipalities in Parana. Therefore, we drew a geo-economic profile of the town and analyzed the economic, social and political aspects of its political emancipation, which occurred in the late 1980s. However, it is important to emphasize that such analysis was fundamental for further studies of the policies which were implemented in the central region and particularly in that municipality. In addition to federal policies, we analyzed specifically a co-operative implementation based on the model of solidarity economy created in the administrative district of Poema. This co-operative was created by organic passion fruit producers who do not want to sell their properties and leave their village. In this way, they can create new sources of income so that they can stay there. The local initiatives for development, such as this one from Poema residents, are endogenous solutions that may help to improve the inhabitants living conditions from spatialities suffering depopulation.