Social Innovation and Local Development: An Analysis in an Agroenergy Condominium for the Family Agriculture

Abstract

This article aims to verify how the process of social innovation, resulting from the constitution of an agroenergy condominium in Brazil, was responsible for the promotion of local development. We consider that social innovation promotes development in its multiparadigmatic concept and is an economic means of governance creation. The results show that there were positive implications for the families, the environment and for the technological development. The use of biofuels is an option to the Brazilian energy scenario, since it has reduced transaction costs. But one challenge is the better use of biodigestion residues, used as biofertilizers. This is a developing and costly process compared to traditional fertilizers. There are also challenges regarding the standardization of the distribution of generated energy and technology for the generation of this energy resource. Finally, a model of local development generation based on greater promotion of social innovation is proposed. The findings from this Brazilian research are not limited for use in Brazil only and can be adopted/adapted for application in other countries provided local cultural differences are considered.