Associativity, inclusive leadership and local economic development. The group of independent artisans of Mompox

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown the importance of producer associations to promote local economic development. However, these types of associations exist in many small Latin American cities without constituting a guarantee of inclusive development. Through interviews with artisans and local leaders, this article analyzes the filigree sector in Mompox, Colombia and shows a widespread disenchantment with traditional forms of associativity in which a small number of “maestros”, traditionally older men, act as representatives of the artisan community. These leaderships do not allow women and young generations to appropriate the sector and, consequently, restrict the potential of associations to generate not only development, but inclusion. The analysis of the Group of Independent Artisans, a group of young artisans from Mompox that has broken with this traditional model of associativity, shows the importance of inclusive leadership that translates into a more inclusive local development.