Date of label : 29/10/2024
An indoor gathering or event, possibly a cultural or community meeting. Overall, the image captures a moment of community engagement, likely centered around cultural or traditional practices.
Summary
The innovative community initiative Night at the Market is a monthly event held at the municipal markets of Mértola. It strengthens community bonds and promotes sustainability by facilitating themed cooking events where local residents share meals and knowledge. This practice emerged during the Mértola Food Network project, as a way of actively involving the community in the search for solutions to major local challenges of climate change and desertification. Each event features a different theme and guest, fostering peer-to-peer dialogue, co-creation of new initiatives, and the transfer of knowledge in an informal, collaborative setting. This approach encourages active participation, builds trust, and empowers the community to support food sustainability.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
Night at the Market is a community engagement initiative, developed as part of the Mértola Food Network project. The solution involves the local community in reflecting on the need to adopt more sustainable food practices alongside regenerative farming practices. It is a way of transferring knowledge about very important topics for the sustainability of the territory that relate to the way we produce and consume food. These include: soil regeneration; water retention; densification of trees and vegetation in the landscape; regenerative farming; local, seasonal and organic foods; and the reduction of meat consumption.
The initiative, launched in October 2017 to coincide with World Food Day, consists of monthly events, each featuring a unique theme and a guest who presents the topic through an informal conversation. Local groups and leaders, including universities, cultural associations and parish councils, actively participate.
This enhances interpersonal relationships and trust within the community, facilitates the exchange of know-how on sustainable practices, and provides spaces for the community to collaboratively develop new initiatives. When promoted widely, it also attracts diverse groups previously uninvolved in conventional participation contexts.
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
Night at the Market supports various environmental, social and economic factors through an integrated approach. Key actions are highlighted below.
Environmental:
- Promoting sustainable regenerative farming: Featuring themes such as climate change, and sustainable and regenerative food production and consumption, the project encourages residents to adopt eco-friendly behaviours and present ideas for new initiatives.
- Reducing Carbon emissions, emphasising locally sourced ingredients and short food supply chains.
- Raising awareness of the vital importance of soils.
Economic:
- Supporting local economy and entrepreneurship opportunities: The initiative creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Social:
- Community building: Night at the Market fosters interpersonal and intergenerational relationships and trust within the community, enhancing social cohesion.
- Knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of know-how on sustainable practices in an informal setting empowers residents with valuable skills and information.
The initiative recognises the interconnectedness of these environmental, economic and social factors, leveraging synergies to address urban challenges holistically. The project’s integrated approach is also reflected in its community-centered solutions, with residents engaged in co-creation processes and peer-to-peer dialogue.
Based on participatory approach
Stakeholders from various sectors, including local government, cultural associations, universities and community members, actively participate in decision-making and implementation processes. Municipal authorities play a key role in initiating and supporting the project. They provide logistical support, facilitate permits for market space, and ensure coordination with other municipal activities. Meanwhile, cultural associations contribute to the thematic development of events, bringing cultural insights and ideas for engaging activities. They also help promote the events within their networks, increasing community participation.
Residents are actively involved in shaping the project. They participate in planning meetings, suggest themes for events, and contribute ideas for activities. During the events, they engage in cooking, sharing meals, and exchanging knowledge with peers.
All the stakeholders share resources, expertise and responsibilities, ensuring that the project reflects the diverse needs and interests of the community. This participatory approach fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among stakeholders, leading to greater engagement and sustainability in the project's implementation.
What difference has it made?
This practice enabled more than 40 initiatives to be organised in two municipal markets between October 2017 and June 2024.
Several mouthwatering topics were adressed, such as: Food and climate change; Aromatic plants and the healing power of plants; Sugar-free foods; Local super foods; Traditional summer food; Montanheira pig; Campaniço lamb; Forgotten foods: acorns; Mértola wines; Fava beans, Regenerative food; The tomato; The importance of soup; Mediterranean diet; Soil and food.
These facts and figures highlight some key differences Night at the Market has made:
- 30-80 people taking part in each initiative, including local residents, local producers and tourists.
- Active involvement of the community, and reactivation of local markets as spaces for sociability.
- Multiplier effect: new projects sparked in the Mértola Food Network.
- Since the implementation of Night at the Market, there has been a noticeable increase in community participation, evidenced by qualitative feedback from residents, businesses and community leaders.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
Night at the Market is adaptable, inclusive, and relevant to all European cities. The initiative fosters community engagement, which is vital for addressing local challenges and promoting sustainable development. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, it empowers residents to take ownership of their community's future.
The focus on sustainability aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). The practice contributes to the Urban Agenda for the EU by promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability. In addition, its emphasis on local partnerships and knowledge exchange makes it transferable to diverse urban contexts, supporting the EU Territorial Agenda's promotion of balanced and integrated development across regions.
It has received several awards, such as the “Best gastronomic experiences in Portugal” award and a Local SDG Good Practice Award 2022.
While Night at the Market may not be directly linked to a specific national governance or legislative context, it operates within the broader framework of local governance and community development policies in Portugal.
Other cities can adapt and replicate aspects of this community-driven initiative within their own markets. The flexible nature of Night at the Market allows for adaptation to diverse urban settings by tailoring themes, activities, and partnerships to local needs and priorities. Crucial steps in adopting this practice succesfully include establishing partnerships with local stakeholders, securing funding and other resources, and ensuring community buy-in.
The project has already been presented as a good practice to partners in U.R.Impact, an URBACT network empowering local communities in urban regeneration process.