Social entrepreneurship as a strategy for sustainable water management in informal territories: the case of San Isidro Patios, Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

This article analyzes the design and validation of a social entrepreneurship model applied to sustainable water management in San Isidro Patios (Bogotá), an informal urban territory characterized by high hydric and social vulnerability. The study builds on theoretical frameworks of social innovation, community value creation, and technology transfer, articulated with a participatory diagnosis that revealed that 90% of households face recurrent difficulties in accessing water. The methodology combined a Sequential Exploratory Mixed Design (DEXPLOS) with the application of the Social Enterprise Model Canvas (SEMC), adapted into 14 blocks to integrate technical, social, economic, and governance criteria. The model proposed a rainwater harvesting and improvement system with four phases (collection, pre-filtration, storage, and filtration), developed with locally available low-cost materials and simple operation. In parallel, co-creation processes, dialogical training, and participatory governance were implemented through parity boards, sectoral committees, and social audits. The financial component included cross-subsidies, international cooperation, donations, and sales to local businesses, achieving a break-even point with 11 units per month. The results show significant improvements in water quality, reduction of waterborne diseases, savings of nearly 70% in water consumption, and local job creation. Likewise, community cohesion, transparency, and resilience to climate change were strengthened. The study confirms the relevance of the SEMC compared to traditional frameworks, validates social entrepreneurship as a strategy to address the water crisis in vulnerable contexts, and demonstrates the replicability of the model in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.