Innovación social y gestión ciudadana en la vinculación con la comunidad. Programa de capacitación y asistencia técnica en Azuay

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the elements of social innovation in programs linked to local citizen management, identifying its scope, structure and perceived outcomes by the beneficiaries. The case study focus on the program of the Administrative Faculty of the University of Azuay named “Training program and technical assistance for strengthening the capacities and potential”. The research methodology is qualitative; it used documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews that were conducted to authorities of the institution as with the ones from the strategic allies in the selected projects sample and, a questionnaire to the direct beneficiaries. Among the main results, it was found that the program and its projects do present elements of social innovation; transformation them into citizen management models since they provide a novel solution to the needs not satisfied by the market or government, achieving behavioral changes through the strengthening of knowledge and capacities for territorial development.