PHOTOVOICE, PAESAGGIO E INNOVAZIONE SOCIALE: TESTING DI UNA METODOLOGIA DI AZIONE-RICERCA PARTECIPATIVA PER COINVOLGERE I GIOVANI NEI MONITORAGGI CIVICI

Abstract

This study proposes the utilization of the landscape as a primary interpretation key of territory in a participatory action research (PAR). The landscape can be read as a collection and depiction of the effects of policies on the territory, environment, cultural and architectural heritage, indicating past practices and potential sustainable policies. The study tests the effectiveness of a PAR methodology known as Photovoice – emerged in the ‘90s, it combines visual and mnemonic perceptions of the community to generate/improve dialogue with decision-makers – with the aim of exploring the utility in activating civic monitoring. The presented application of PAR is conducted in the inner area of Calabria known as "Grecanica". The landscape elements identified by the youth in the community are linked to local projects funded through EU cohesion policies, as indicated by “Open-Coesione” data and “Monithon”. Ultimately, the study verifies the usefulness of Photovoice in interpreting the landscape, activating social innovation processes, engaging the community in civic monitoring, generating civic monitoring reports (using the web-platform “Monithon”).