Objective: This work aims to analyze the management process of the Association of Agroecological Producers and Residents of Imbé, Marreco and neighboring farms (ASSIM), noting its strengths and weaknesses, contributing to a critical look at the associative project and the construction of collective strategies for self-management that strengthen the links between Agroecology and Solidarity Economy from the perspective of territorial identity. Theoretical framework: It also seeks to point out the theoretical and conceptual bases, as well as the relations that can be established between associative management and the strengthening of Agroecology, presenting paths for rural participative planning, as well as its contributions to the promotion of self-management and the promotion of Agroecology. Design/methodology/approach: The data were obtained and analysed using the method of Action Research, which aims to create greater interaction between the researcher, the public involved in the research, and the agro-ecological production processes under development, i.e. interaction is not only between people, but also by the process, which generates problems and solutions, action and reflection, in an integrated way. Based on this assumption, using qualitative methodology, we will offer ASSIM's associates the possibility of jointly carrying out a participative diagnosis, as an instrument for collecting data on the association's agro-ecological producers Results: As results, information on the form of political organization, weaknesses and potentialities that subsidized the strategic planning of the organization were mapped. We consider that this process allowed the development of an action plan with guidelines to face its challenges focused initially on the elaboration of projects and fundraising. Research, practical and social implications: The research demonstrated the effectiveness of the action-research method to understand the social reality of a community, both through the mechanism of data collection from the concrete daily experience of the community, as well as the validation of information by those involved allowing the confrontation of interpretations and collective construction of knowledge. In practice, it provided the community with the tools to carry out articipative diagnoses and planning. Originality/value: The researchers concluded that social protagonism is possible to build, especially when there is qualified external advice that contributes to the preparation of leaders capable of producing incidence together with partners. The diversity of the actors with the inclusion of women and young people in the production process made the activities more dynamic.
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