autovalorização

Autovalorização, or autovalorização, is a concept used in social and economic theory to describe the process by which an individual or collective increases its own value through work, knowledge, and autonomous action. The term is commonly discussed in contexts of labor, entrepreneurship, education, and community development, highlighting value that is created or enhanced from within rather than received as external recognition or market price alone.

In economics and political economy, autovalorização refers to the self-generated accumulation of value by workers or communities, such as through the creation of cooperatives, micro-enterprises, or social enterprises. The emphasis is on endogenous value creation and empowerment, where capacity building, access to resources, and organizational development enable actors to generate income or wealth from their own products, services, and networks.

In sociology and anthropology, the concept relates to self-realization and the construction of social worth through labor, skill formation, and participation in collective life. It is often discussed in relation to development programs that combine training, financing, and participatory governance to strengthen agency and resilience among marginalized groups.

Mechanisms commonly associated with autovalorização include vocational training, microcredit or microfinance, access to shared resources, business incubation, and democratic or participatory decision-making within organizations. Policy discussions sometimes present autovalorização as a route to inclusive growth, reduced dependence on external aid, and enhanced local innovation. Critics argue that focusing on self-valorization can overlook structural barriers, place pressure on individuals to maximize output, or ignore unequal starting conditions. See also valorization, autogestão, cooperativismo, empreendedorismo social.