"A SUL" means literally "At South". The so-called "south margin" of Lisbon city, hosts many people who work daily at the capital, with an average lower income. Scattered in different communities with weak connection among them, most are not fierce or even aware of their territory's history, nature and features, nor of participation opportunities. A SUL, a vibrant podcast/videocast project will contribute to Awake for Sustainability, to Unite communities and to share for a better Living.

The "south margin" of Lisbon encompasses different municipalities. Moita is our chosen territory.

Moita is one of the municipalities of the so-called Lisbon "south margin", with a lower income among the territories of Setúbal district. It's also a territory hosting communities with a lot of cultural differences (different African countries of origin; Roma; local-born with strong traditions, others), scattered urban aggregates, unemployment, low level of education, lack of business investment, and in general lack of social cohesion. For many its a dormitory region to sleep and rest after daily work mostly in Lisbon. Big commercial malls in adjacent territories are a week-end escape. Knowledge of local nature and history is weak, and so is interest in local decisions.

Our target group is local people, mainly from Moita territory, but also some adjacent territories. How will we reach them? First: we actually go next to them, either physically, or by the internet. How? First by using our network of local contacts. Among our collaborators we have people working at the local council, people engaged in local organizations, people with experience in local TV channels. Other very important aspect is that most people living in Portugal have a personal profile in Facebook. So, our strategy includes profiling campaigns to reach local people according to age, to gender, to country of origin, etc. Also, we will do quantitative impact monitoring through FB visualizations, cliks and participation in the podcasts and the webinars.

Our project has a simple method of implementation:
1. Purchase the necessary podcast/videocast, IT equipment
2. Gather the team and decide main lines
3. Do content research
4. Start media production, interviews, image registering, editing, etc.
5. Profile and disseminate the upcoming podcasts/videocasts/webinars
6. Make them happen!
7. Do impact monitoring
8. Do periodic meetings with the team; discuss; evaluate; adjust
9. Do more podcasts/videocasts/webinars
10. Promote a Podcast Ideia Challenge Contest (prize in money, mentoring and promotion)
11. Do a final evaluation and conclusions

Success will in first hand look like a huge participation registered in our podcasts, video-casts and broadcasting of webinars in general.

Then, we hope there are secondary signals, such as new initiatives taking place, besides the Podcast Idea Challenge, more participation in some local events and initiatives, both promoted by official or civil organizations. And also the number of invitations we might get to report or participate in events, or meet new local entrepreneurs.

Qualitatively, we expect to get feed-back, through a feed-back mechanism for people to leave their messages on what they think or feel.

To strengthen democracy and active citizenship is a huge challenge, demanding an investment in effective communication with people and creating trust and belief. Traditionally local official bodies communicate mostly in a one-way direction, with leaflets, outdoors, exhibitions. Physical meetings with decision makers are done, but many do not have the time, or the means to travel and attend, or the knowledge to question proposals and options. A SUL is a two-way communication process; we go ourselves next to the people. We show them the richness of the territory, its history and nature, and ask them to share their cultural heritage and initiatives. We help to connect local issues with national and European policies and show ways of participation.

I have been writing during many years, and still do, mostly in Facebook channel, about events and policies, analyzing news both at local, national and international levels. Many people see me as an influencing person. However, I wish to deliver and contribute to positive, effective changes. Namely in the region where I live, because I know it rather well and I have a lot of contacts of good people here, people that wish to do good and to promote a better living among the population. And I long for a two-way dynamic communication that can bring people together. And if I can do it with a core team of nice people I like to be with, the better!

Personnel expenses: 22.000
Travel expenses: 2.500
Equipment: 6.000
External collaborators: 6.000
Marketing: 3.000
Servers (website, elearning, podcast/videocast): 4.000
Office/Studio, Accounting, etc: 6.000
Podcast Idea Challenge Prize: 500€

We will also contribute 5.000 euros through the use of personal equipment, car, etc.

We would surely appreciate any ideas, support or event criticism from other in the platform! And even if our project might not be selected, we wish to keep in contact with Civic Europe because your capacity building tools and initiatives captivated our interest and would be quite useful in Portugal.