Innovation and Resignification: Social Entrepreneurship for Reincorporating Women into Peace Communities

Luz Elena Malagón-Castro, José Carlos Vázquez-Parra (), Gloria Clemencia Valencia-González and Luis Guillermo Restrepo-Jaramillo
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Luz Elena Malagón-Castro: School of Business Administration, Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores, Bogotá 110441, Colombia
José Carlos Vázquez-Parra: Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Guadalajara 45138, Mexico
Gloria Clemencia Valencia-González: Faculty of Education, Universidad Católica de Manizales, Manizales 170004, Colombia
Luis Guillermo Restrepo-Jaramillo: Faculty of Education, Universidad Católica de Manizales, Manizales 170004, Colombia

Administrative Sciences, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Around the world, many post-conflict societies face the pressing challenge of reintegrating former combatants, especially women, into community life in ways that promote peace and sustainable development. Educational strategies that foster Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Complex Thinking are increasingly recognized as essential tools in this process, helping to rebuild social cohesion and empower local leadership. This study evaluates the impact of the SEL4C methodology on strengthening key competencies in Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Complex Thinking among 49 women signatories of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, who currently live in the Mariana Páez Territorial Training and Reincorporation Space (ETCR). Through a pre- and post-intervention design using validated instruments and statistical analyses (paired t-tests and effect size calculations), the study found significant improvements in areas such as Social Awareness, Social Innovation, and Scientific Thinking. Although the gains in Complex Thinking were moderate, the results show that the methodology effectively enhanced leadership skills and the ability to address systemic challenges—both crucial for successful reintegration. In practical terms, the findings support the use of SEL4C by organizations working in peacebuilding, educational institutions, and public programs that seek to empower women in vulnerable contexts. The methodology’s adaptability and evidence-based structure make it a valuable resource for designing participatory training processes focused on innovation, sustainability, and community transformation.

Keywords: financial inclusion; educational innovation; social entrepreneurship; social innovation; entrepreneurial education; peace-building (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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