Policy framework as a challenge and opportunity for social innovation initiatives in eco-tourism in Colombia

Colombia confronts a multitude of societal and environmental problems, which severely manifest in rural areas, leading to loss of biodiversity, reduced legal income opportunities, marginalization, poverty, etc. Alternatives that can voluntarily mobilize collective agency, such as social innovation (SI), have emerged as a means for addressing the challenges of rural areas due to the potential they proved to have in other countries to enhance outcomes on societal well-being. This study focuses on the current policy conditions (domains and instruments) for the development of SI in eco-tourism in Colombia, both those registered as legal entities or individuals or networks operating informally. A total amount of 25 policy documents from tourism, cohesion, rural and regional development, forest, environment, and innovation policies were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Our results show the slow introduction of SI concepts and the inoperability of instruments into the national policy framework. Formally recognised SI initiatives in eco-tourism bear strict requirements for operating in natural and protected areas with numerous administrative procedures. The SI is not addressed explicitly in most of the explored policies. Its significance and untapped potential are shadowed by other overarching terms such as “entrepreneurship”. Consequently, SI remains informal in practice. This context is challenging for the development of both formal SI initiatives in eco-tourism as well as for the formalization of the informal ones.