Life trajectories and territorial change: the social innovation of Proyecto Utopia in rural Colombia

Marco Alberio, Adriana Otálora-Buitrago, Jaime Alberto Rendón-Acevedo · 2026 · Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna)

Summary. Proyecto Utopía in rural Colombia combines free agricultural engineering education, housing, psychosocial support, and hands-on learning with philanthropic funding to address rural marginalization amid conflict. A mixed-methods study of 251 graduates found 78% gained formal employment, 47% started businesses, and 74% joined associations. Alumni returned to their territories as leaders practicing agroecology, demonstrating that sustainable rural peace requires hybrid alliances beyond state action.

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@article{alberio-2026-life-trajectories-territorial-change-social,
  title   = {Life trajectories and territorial change: the social innovation of Proyecto Utopia in rural Colombia},
  author  = {Marco Alberio and Adriana Otálora-Buitrago and Jaime Alberto Rendón-Acevedo},
  journal = {Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna)},
  year    = {2026},
  url     = {https://hdl.handle.net/11585/1056691}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Life trajectories and territorial change: the social innovation of Proyecto Utopia in rural Colombia
AU  - Marco Alberio
AU  - Adriana Otálora-Buitrago
AU  - Jaime Alberto Rendón-Acevedo
JO  - Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna)
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/11585/1056691
ER  - 

Details

Countries

Colombia

Regions

South America

Categories

entrepreneurship, education, regional-innovation-systems

Added

2026-04-28