La innovación social y gestión ciudadana en la vinculación con la comunidad: Programa de fortalecimiento del desarrollo sostenible en recientos del cantón de Santa Lucía

Abstract

The research developed in this document, aimed to analyze social innovation as a model of citizen management, considering a comprehensive study in which experiences, mechanisms and structure of the university linkage programmes, taking as reference to the Unidad de Vinculación con la Sociedad (UVS) of ESPOL, which remains in constant participation in projects and programs of relationship with society in various localities and areas. The methodological section consisted of a non-experimental, exploratory and descriptive design; applying techniques such as documentary analysis, semi-structure interviews and surveys, which were addressed to the coordinator of UVS linking programmes, an external expert and to the beneficiaries of the system's sustainability project agriculture, livestock, economic and social of the Paipallales campus and the Asociación Unión de Organizaciones Sociales of the canton of Saint Lucia. Therefore, the sample consisted of two interviewees and a total of 316 people who were given the survey. Among the most noteworthy results, it is identified that the ESPOL UVS has effectively maintained sustained support and commitment in partnership with society programs, where students are not only sought to comply with this as a requirement for graduation, but really commit to bringing about a change in the communities and society in which it is involved, for which this department of the university has gained notoriety and currently has companies that contribute differently to promote these programs, which has a positive impact on the progress and development of people immersed in this.