A participação da sociedade civil no campo do patrimônio cultural: a experiência das organizações portuguesas Pró-Évora e Muralha

As a result of the expansion of the concept of cultural heritage, new social actors have become involved in the processes of patrimonialization and preservation of cultural assets, including organized civil society, which seeks to exercise its citizenship in promoting, defending, and preserving its cultural heritage. With these considerations in mind, this text explores the trajectories and experiences of two local Portuguese heritage associations: the Pro-Évora Group (Évora) and the Muralha Association (Guimarães). Through documentary and bibliographical research and semi-structured interviews, this study examines the main action strategies, and challenges of associations in the field of cultural heritage at municipal level in Portugal. The experiences show how associativism is a transformative model in heritage management, promoting social participation and achieving meaningful results. The research provides input for other realities seeking to strengthen the participation of civil society in the preservation of their cultural heritage.