Innovación social en Colombia: entre la academia y los territorios.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the presence of dynamics of social innovation in the academic field and in the territories in Colombia from a perspective focused on their relationship and impact on territorial development. The foregoing through the analysis of two main variables: the first associated to the task of the spaces created in university institutions for social innovation and, the second, from the recognition of a series of initiatives or projects that account for the way it is conceived and practices social innovation in the territorial and community sphere.

In the academic environment, were identified thirteen social innovation programs or spaces dedicated mainly to the formulation and implementation of methodologies, strategies and innovative practices; as well as the execution of activities associated with the approach of entrepreneurship and research projects. Also, were selected four community social innovation initiatives highlighted by their territorial development approach, highlighting aspects such as the empowerment of communities and the creation of socially innovative alternatives through the identification and strengthening of their own capacities and resources.

From this, certain differences were evidenced in relation both to the discourse and to the application and practice of social innovation itself, which reveals the need to promote and strengthen lines of study and research focused on territorial development and its planning processes as well as the creation of strategies for recognition and integration of the diverse dynamics of social innovation existing between the academy and the territories.