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Relatório nacional de inovação social:
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, social innovation is broadly recognized but lacks an official definition.
Estruturas legais e políticas

Costa Rica has adopted the following legal frameworks, strategies, and vision documents related to social innovation:

  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Social Innovation
  • Social Businesses
  • Social [and Solidarity] Economy
Estágio atual de implementação:
Stage5: Social Entrepreneurship / Innovation / Businesses / [and Solidarity] Economy

with:

  • Stage1: “No Policy or Recognition: No formal recognition, discussion, or policy exists. The sector operates informally or without government involvement.”;
  • Stage2: “Initial Discussions & Awareness: The government acknowledges the sector and has started discussions or consultations, but no formal policy framework or regulation exists.”;
  • Stage3: “Draft Policy or Framework in Development: A draft policy, strategy, or regulatory framework is currently being developed. The government may be conducting research, stakeholder consultations, or legislative drafting.”;
  • Stage4: “Pilot Programs or Limited Implementation: Some initiatives, pilot projects, or partial government-backed programs exist, but full implementation has not yet been achieved. Policies may be tested in select regions or for specific groups.”;
  • Stage5: “Policy Adopted but Not Fully Implemented: A formal law, policy, or regulation has been passed, but it has not been fully implemented, enforced, or funded. Gaps in execution may still exist.”;
  • Stage6: “Policy in Effect & Actively Implemented: The policy is fully enacted and actively being implemented. There is clear government support, funding, and enforcement mechanisms in place.”;
  • Stage7: “Policy Reviewed & Strengthened: The existing policy has been evaluated and improved over time based on feedback, data, or evolving needs. New funding, incentives, or structural reforms may have been introduced.”; and
  • Stage8: “Leading in Policy Innovation: The country is recognized as a leader in this policy area, with best practices, strong regulatory frameworks, and incentives that actively promote and support the sector.”
Atores do ecossistema
Principais atores do ecossistema

The leading actors driving social innovation in Costa Rica include government ministries, social enterprises, NGOs, philanthropic institutions, academia, and other ecosystem builders. The top three most influential actors are:

  • Academic and research centers
  • Foundations & philanthropic organizations
  • Government entity (ministries/agencies)

Examples: Public Universities, UCR, UNA, TEC

Educação e capacitação

Formal and informal education programs that support social innovation exist in the following forms in Costa Rica:

  • University-level courses or degrees:“ Social innovation, social entrepreneurship, or impact-driven business programs are offered as courses, degrees, or research tracks in universities or technical institutions
  • Government-supported training programs:“ The government has launched or funded capacity-building programs, incubators, or skill-development initiatives to support social innovation
  • Private sector or NGO-led programs:“ Non-governmental organizations, incubators, or private sector actors actively run training, mentorship, or acceleration programs for social innovation.

Órgãos Coordenadores

A centralized body responsible for coordinating social innovation efforts across sectors exists in Costa Rica.

Comunicação do ecossistema
The level of communication and coordination among key actors in Costa Rica’s social innovation ecosystem is currently Moderate:“ some collaboration, but existing gaps in coordination.
Mecanismos de apoio para políticas e finanças
Incentivos políticos e mecanismos de apoio

To support social innovation, Costa Rica has implemented the following incentives and mechanisms:

  • Government-backed funding programs (e.g., grants, subsidies, social impact funds)
Mecanismos de financiamento
Impacto
Programas e conquistas emblemáticos

Notable achievements and flagship programs in social innovation in Costa Rica include:
There is a program in the University of Costa Rica named DIPROVID that has been very successful https://www.proinnova.ucr.ac.cr/noticias/11-logros-de-la-diprovid

Colaborações internacionais
Tecnologia para boas inovações
Estruturas de medição de impacto

Costa Rica does not have a formal framework or methodology for measuring social innovation impact.

Contribuição econômica da inovação social
Relatórios sobre impacto social

There are no Reports and studies that assess the social impact of innovation in Costa Rica.

Impulso político

Momentum for social innovation as a public policy issue in Costa Rica is currently rated as:

Some Momentum: There is growing awareness and initial efforts in public policy, but implementation remains limited or fragmented

Barreiras ao crescimento

The following barriers are currently hindering the growth of social innovation in Costa Rica:

  • Regulatory and legal barriers,
  • Lack of awareness and understanding of social innovation,
  • Weak collaboration between public, private, and civil society sectors,
  • Difficulty in measuring and demonstrating impact
Ideias colaborativas
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