INgenia Program
Training young leaders as agents of change in sustainability and innovation.
Place
Múltiples comunas, Chile
Year
2022
Objectives
To develop leadership and social innovation capacities in young people from the districts of Til Til and Colina.
To foster environmental awareness and commitment to local sustainability through practical education.
To empower new generations as active agents of transformation within their own territories.
To connect local young talent with academic networks and cutting-edge innovation centers.
Methodology
The program was designed as a training and action itinerary divided into three stages:
Territorial Activation: Organizing three local sustainability fairs to motivate young people and identify issues within their communities.
Academic Training: Implementation of the "Training Program for Agents of Change in Sustainability and Innovation," delivered in partnership with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Closing Milestone and Networking: A final session at the UC Innovation Center, where students presented their projects, received their certification, and built links with other social innovators.
Clients / Partners
Client: Anglo American.
Academic Partner: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Innovation Center).
Territorial Scope: Districts of Til Til and Colina.
Execution: Ciudad Emergente.
Results & Impact
Technical Training: Dozens of young people certified in innovation and sustainability methodologies, increasing the human capital of their districts.
Local Projects: Generation of ideas and solutions designed by the residents themselves to address the environmental challenges of Til Til and Colina.
New Networks: Participants not only obtained diplomas but were also integrated into an innovation ecosystem that allows them to continue their projects and personal motivations.
Educational Inclusion: Access for young people from remote areas to top-tier university training, narrowing the opportunity gap.
Conclusions
The INgenia program demonstrates that transforming the city (and rural territories) requires not only infrastructure but also the strengthening of human capacities. By training young people from Til Til and Colina, Ciudad Emergente bets on long-term sustainability: a territory with empowered local leaders is a more resilient territory. The partnership with Universidad Católica validates that social innovation is a powerful pedagogical tool for building an active citizenship committed to its environment.
