Replicating grassroots innovations in the Global South: A case study of ecovillages for marginalized groups in Colombia

Abstract

This study analyses a case of replication of ecovillages for marginalized groups in Colombia. Ecovillages are a grassroots innovation aimed at fostering sustainable communities. This paper explores how the institutional and sociocultural context shapes the replication of ecovillages in the Global South. Data was collected through fieldwork at a Colombian ecovillage and interviews with members of organizations engaged in replicating the ecovillage's model. The results show that the sociocultural context influences replication through reframing dynamics. Reframing dynamics involves two steps: An initial frame alignment followed by shifts in the collective action frames. The interpretative flexibility of the ecovillage concept enables its adaptation to diverse sociocultural contexts. However, in the Global South, limited economic resources, weak state institutions, and uneven access to knowledge can compel marginalized groups to rely on brokers with the knowledge and political leverage to mobilize the necessary resources. Despite these challenges, interviewee accounts suggest that rural ecovillages with social (subsidized) housing may offer a viable solution for marginalized groups in the Global South seeking to integrate economic productivity, ecological sustainability and a strong sense of community.