Project garden Inova Verde

analysis from Maturana's autopoetic theory

Abstract

Social innovations are new products or services that meet social needs and create new social collaborations. The biggest challenge faced in developing this innovation is the ability to sustain. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the support phase of the project garden Inova Verde from the characteristics of Maturana's autopoiesis, highlighting the structural changes that can form the structural coupling. Descriptive research and case study were used as methodological procedures. The garden development process included: extension project; staff mobilization; authorization for implementation in the physical space; design management; implementation and communication. Structural coupling by interaction domain occurred through the interaction of people with the garden, but there is also a need to develop the structural couplings of the group and for compensable mutual disturbances. Autonomy was achieved since the garden has been sustained without interference from the founders, in which people use the crops, but by the observed did not perform new sowing. Therefore, structural coupling is the driving force for the garden project autopoiesis, and both provide conditions for its existence and longevity. This social innovation could overcome the challenge of the sustainability phase and achieve expansion and diffusion if the project had been completed, fully implementing the communication phase, developing a network of partners, and producing the planned welfare infrastructure.Keywords: Social Innovation, Autopoiesis, Structural Coupling, Maturana.