Mapping Repertoires of Collective Action [PAPER]

A paper has been published with the results of this research, that aims to map these initiatives and identify strategic approaches to tackle the issues raised by the pandemic, given the strengths of those undertaking the initiative, and the scope, purpose and sphere of intervention. Using direct contact, a survey, and a virtual ethnography with social organisations has allowed us to identify and characterise the initiatives.
The guiding question is: How are civil society organisations responding to the COVID-19 impact on informal settlements ?
The research team argues that the repertoire of collective action from civil society in/for informal settlements has focused at a neighbourhood level on emergency measures around food security, pedagogies for prevention and self-care, sanitation and income relief.
A secondary effort has focused on how alliances were forged during the pandemic.
Are these initiatives the result of existing collaboration, or do the conditions imposed by the pandemic force organizations to create new alliances? The urgency of state action (1) has meant that crucial spheres of informality, vital for the resilience of informal settlements, have been neglected. These include mobility, human security, waste collection and citizen participation, and their neglect impedes the more coordinated action that is the basis for a healthy recovery phase.