Traditional practices and sustainable development: local indicators of sustainability among caiçaras and quilombolas in Bocaina

Abstract This article presents the methodology and findings of a study that proposed a set of local indicators for monitoring progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 in caiçara and quilombola communities in the territory of Bocaina in the municipalities of Paraty (Rio de Janeiro) and Ubatuba (São Paulo). The objective was to adapt a global and Brazilian national agenda to the territory level and to construct specific indicators to reflect that “localisation”. To begin with, 40 goals of Agenda 2030 were selected and adapted to conditions in the territory. Then a qualitative study of quilombolas and caiçaras identified local problems in achieving sustainable development and the alternative solutions developed to address those problems. On the basis of that study and secondary data from socioeconomic, environmental and public service information on those populations, 87 local indicators were constructed for the purpose of monitoring progress towards Agenda 2030 targets and goals in the territory.