206
Governments, the private sector and civil society have joined in efforts to develop
relevant approaches to community wellbeing that tackle key community issues.
Following Mount and Mulc (2007) partnerships can foster community development. “In partnership with a government-funded educational institution we are
assisting [communities] with some resources to begin their own plantations (in coffee, plantain, etc)” (Corporate Representative, Interview, October, 2012). Companies
have also partnered with schools to provide children with initiatives such as reading
and writing workshops (Franco 2014). Collaboration processes are characterised by
active community engagement. Mining is part of Risaralda’s cultural and political/
economic life; however, the recent escalation of mining operations undertaken
mainly by international companies has not prevented communities in Risaralda
from creating alternative livelihoods and benefiting from resource development.
Recent development of mining and exploration projects has positioned this activity
as one of the main economic activities in the region. Operations have been undertaken by Canadian and domestic exploration and mining companies. Metals production in Risaralda represented 6.71% of Colombia’s total production in 2005 (UPME
2005). Effective stakeholder collaboration processes along with a long history of
entrepreneurship and economic benefits derived from mining have driven community wellbeing. Existing exploration and mining projects have helped communities
to foster entrepreneurship and achieve their development aspirations:
I have been working in mining since I was 7 years old. The company has provided us with
some resources to participate in a dress-making course. I asked the company for … initiatives in which we women could get some knowledge to sustain ourselves in the long-term.
The company, in partnership with a government VET institution, implemented this initiative. However, we need more of these initiatives in Risaralda. Hopefully there are more
coming up. (Risaralda Community Leader, November, 2012)
This has been possible due to some governance processes and factors in place
that have allowed companies to play a strong role in promoting sustainable community development leading to community wellbeing.
Entrepreneurship for Community Wellbeing in Risaralda
While many of the current approaches to community wellbeing face some challenges in Antioquia, key findings of this research showed that the approach to wellbeing in Risaralda has helped locals develop coping capacities to deal with
mining-induced changes. A more coordinated and integrated approach to community wellbeing is taking centre stage in Risaralda. The existing approach is based on
community needs and puts entrepreneurship at the centre of community development. The existing developmental model has also been able to meet community
development aspirations and help communities evolve despite the adverse impacts
derived from the escalation of mining operations. A senior Government representative stated:
We do not want mining-dependent communities. Instead, we need to develop sustainable
supply chains and entrepreneurship amongst community members. People usually think
competitiveness is an overnight process. This is a false expectation. It is a long-term commitment that will allow us to forge more sustainable communities. (Table 13.3, Row 1)
I. B. Franco and L. Newey
Governments, the private sector and civil society have joined in efforts to develop
relevant approaches to community wellbeing that tackle key community issues.
Following Mount and Mulc (2007) partnerships can foster community development. “In partnership with a government-funded educational institution we are
assisting [communities] with some resources to begin their own plantations (in coffee, plantain, etc)” (Corporate Representative, Interview, October, 2012). Companies
have also partnered with schools to provide children with initiatives such as reading
and writing workshops (Franco 2014). Collaboration processes are characterised by
active community engagement. Mining is part of Risaralda’s cultural and political/
economic life; however, the recent escalation of mining operations undertaken
mainly by international companies has not prevented communities in Risaralda
from creating alternative livelihoods and benefiting from resource development.
Recent development of mining and exploration projects has positioned this activity
as one of the main economic activities in the region. Operations have been undertaken by Canadian and domestic exploration and mining companies. Metals production in Risaralda represented 6.71% of Colombia’s total production in 2005 (UPME
2005). Effective stakeholder collaboration processes along with a long history of
entrepreneurship and economic benefits derived from mining have driven community wellbeing. Existing exploration and mining projects have helped communities
to foster entrepreneurship and achieve their development aspirations:
I have been working in mining since I was 7 years old. The company has provided us with
some resources to participate in a dress-making course. I asked the company for … initiatives in which we women could get some knowledge to sustain ourselves in the long-term.
The company, in partnership with a government VET institution, implemented this initiative. However, we need more of these initiatives in Risaralda. Hopefully there are more
coming up. (Risaralda Community Leader, November, 2012)
This has been possible due to some governance processes and factors in place
that have allowed companies to play a strong role in promoting sustainable community development leading to community wellbeing.
Entrepreneurship for Community Wellbeing in Risaralda
While many of the current approaches to community wellbeing face some challenges in Antioquia, key findings of this research showed that the approach to wellbeing in Risaralda has helped locals develop coping capacities to deal with
mining-induced changes. A more coordinated and integrated approach to community wellbeing is taking centre stage in Risaralda. The existing approach is based on
community needs and puts entrepreneurship at the centre of community development. The existing developmental model has also been able to meet community
development aspirations and help communities evolve despite the adverse impacts
derived from the escalation of mining operations. A senior Government representative stated:
We do not want mining-dependent communities. Instead, we need to develop sustainable
supply chains and entrepreneurship amongst community members. People usually think
competitiveness is an overnight process. This is a false expectation. It is a long-term commitment that will allow us to forge more sustainable communities. (Table 13.3, Row 1)
I. B. Franco and L. Newey