1 - Ágata Maitê Ritter UNIVERSIDADE DO VALE DO RIO DOS SINOS (UNISINOS) - São Leopoldo
2 - Roselei Haag UNIVERSIDADE DO VALE DO RIO DOS SINOS (UNISINOS) - PPG Administração - São Leopoldo
3 - Gisele Hidalgo UNIVERSIDADE DO VALE DO RIO DOS SINOS (UNISINOS) - Porto Alegre
Reumo
The insertion of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and non-profit civil associations in civil society aims to drive the quality of life of various communities, to monitor companies, to act as a catalyst for information, and to promote discussions on laws and public policies which benefit the minorities with less political influence. This research analyzed the actions that NGOs, associations, and foundations focused on sustainability, with emphasis on green products, adopt to promote public policies and sustainable economic development.
What actions NGOs, associations, and foundations focused on sustainability, with emphasis on green products, adopt to promote public policies and sustainable economic development? The purpose of this paper was to analyze the actions that NGOs, associations, and foundations focused on sustainability, with emphasis on green products, adopt to promote public policies and sustainable economic development in Southern Brazil.
NGOs, associations, and foundations in developed and developing countries play a role in influencing policy development and negotiation. In some cases, they act as a government advisor, providing technical reports, expert advice, and in other cases, a claimant of the population. The third sector contributes to sustainable economic development, from approaching the farmer to the client, promoting problem-solving, and improving efficiency through collective actions, training, and the use of resources in a sustainable way.
The research method used was the case study. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. We conducted observations on websites and interviews with open questions, focused, and semi-structured for data collection. The observation strategy of NGOs, Associations, and Foundations' websites and the analysis of the interviews allowed the data triangulation.
The interaction between NGOs, associations, and foundations contributed to the development of public policies, emerging from the local to the national level, which has brought them credibility to producers, consumers, and the market. Also, it contributes to concise draft laws, which guarantees functionality, safety for producers and consumers, and the correct degrees of vigor, without a high level of bureaucratization. Concerning economic development, the third sector researched is focused on sustainable economic growth, thus basing their actions on the promotion of a green economy and culture
The results suggest that the respondents are involved in the formulation of policies, engaged in public awareness about environmental aspects and healthy food consumption, as well as the regulation of organic fairs and the insertion of new producers in organic agriculture. Regarding sustainable economic development, this study demonstrated the lack of a standard of measurement of economic performance and investments to support sustainable growth.
Ariztía, T., Kleine, D., Brightwell, M., Agloni, N., Afonso, R., & Bartholo, R. (2014). Ethical consumption in Brazil and Chile: institutional contexts and development trajectories. Journal of Cleaner Production, 63, 84-92.
Lankoski, L. (2016). Alternative conceptions of sustainability in a business context. Journal of Cleaner Production, 139, 847-857.
Loiseau, E., Saikku, L., Antikainen, R., Droste, N., Hansjürgens, B., Pitkänen, K., … Thomsen, M. (2016). Green economy and related concepts: An overview. Journal of Cleaner Production, 139, 361-371.