Socio-ecological innovation in Brazil: The collective survival strategy of the collectors of recyclable material

Abstract

This article deals with the social inclusion of hitherto marginalised people by means of social innovation. Theoretically guided by Fraser's '3-R-approach' to promoting social justice, social inclusion is understood as a multi-dimensional process, involving redistribution, recognition, and representation. Empirically, the focus is on the Brazilian social movement of collectors of recyclable material. This historically marginalised group of people was able to constitute a nation-wide social movement. Based on this achievement, further social and political inclusion has been promoted since 2003. The article describes the process as 'bottom-linked', in the sense that a middle way between 'top-down solutions by the state and 'bottom-up'processes by civil society has been found.