Mutualist Associations’ Contribution to a New European Bauhaus

This chapter discusses how mutualist associations (MAs) in Portugal can contribute to communities and regions’ sustainability in terms of health, well-being, welfare, and resilience, as stipulated in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, and 17. The research was based on a conceptual model of human beings’ role on this planet and its consequences for diverse territories. This study integrated multi- and transdisciplinary perspectives and concentrated on MAs’ contributions in Portugal to determine whether and how these associations can provide solutions that can be used to update the New European Bauhaus. The findings are based on a literature review, national secondary data, and case study of two MAs. The results reveal that these organizations are key players in efforts to promote territories’ sustainability and communities’ health, well-being, and welfare, acting in partnership with other regional stakeholders. Acknowledging these associations’ significant contribution to communities and regions’ well-being and development could encourage other groups to create other similar organizations. Their activities would contribute to varied communities and territories’ sustainable development, thereby generating multiple gain spirals.