The SEPARA® Project was developed by CEEETA and ICS-UL for TRATOLIXO over 3 years in two phases.

In a first phase (November 2004 – April 2006) the project had an exploratory and experimental character in 6 pilot areas of the AMTRES territory. A unique collection of knowledge was built and some social factors were identified that facilitate a greater adhesion of the population to the separation, such as the quality of public spaces, a communicational model with consistency and regularity, and new forms and formulas to dynamize public participation.

In a second phase (June 2006-November 2007), as a result of the application of the knowledge and experience acquired, a model of action was developed to promote behavior change – materialized in the EcoFreguesias Initiative 2007 – which covers the 53 parishes of the 4 municipalities of AMTRES. This initiative links sensitization to the direct transmission of information and training with the dynamization of local actors, aiming at the lasting introduction of separation habits.

The objectives of the SEPARA® project were set at three levels:

• at the level of the separation targets (to promote the increase in the quantity and quality of the selective separation of MSW);
• at the level of knowledge was intended to identify the social factors that influence the success (or failure) of MSW policies;
• at the level of training and population involvement, research results were applied on a community-based research basis, not in a purely instrumental way but rather to increase knowledge and good practices of population separation.

At this level, the development of the EcoFreguesias 2007 initiative is highlighted, to which 35 Juntas de Freguesia and more than 200 local entities have become involved in the separation of MSW. The results of the effective participation in the training actions clearly demonstrate that the JFs generally joined the initiative in a very positive way, especially the active participation of the JF presidents, who were present in the training itself and showed great commitment to involve and invite local entities of various types. It is important to highlight the pioneering and innovative character of this project, which at the same time produces knowledge, disseminates information and mobilizes citizens to become aware of the environmental challenges we face and to meet the modus operandis proposed by Local Agenda 21.