In this article, a set of emerging innovation structures is analyzed in the light of key elements for constructing an innovation policy infrastructure, as proposed by the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA), is used to assess whether this set forms an structure that is an efficient public policy mechanism for promoting social innovation. Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA), located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is assessed. The paper attempts to answer the question: Does the emerging innovation structure constitute public policy best practices to generate social innovation in the GMA? The results of a review of several social innovation projects forming an emerging structure over five years show that this is not the case. Furthermore, none of projects survived, mainly because they lacked evaluation tools and systematic mechanisms to secure funding.ITESO, A.C.