Assessing multi-actor innovation platforms for agroecology and bioeconomy promotion in Colombia: the organizational effectiveness evaluation tool

Multi-Actor Innovation Platforms (MAIPs) have emerged as a promising solution to promote technical and organizational innovations for agroecological and bioeconomic transitions. However, tools to evaluate their organizational performance remain limited. To address this gap, the primary objective of this study is to present the Organizational Effectiveness of MAIPs (OEMAIP) tool, designed to evaluate their organizational performance. Unlike previous approaches that primarily focus on participation, the OEMAIP tool incorporates a broader range of qualitative and quantitative indicators selected through a literature review, prioritizing collaborative construction and territorial relevance. Developed in the context of Colombia's Amazonian forest frontier regions, this novel instrument advances the current state of the art by moving beyond previous tools that primarily focus on participation. The tool measures key organizational features rather than focusing exclusively on outputs, and is structured around two fields and six dimensions: functionality/operability (activities, impact, resources) and governance (participation, decision-making, recognition). The tool was tested in pilot studies conducted in the Caquetá region of Colombia. Findings demonstrate that the platforms in Caquetá achieved greater success in governance, particularly in organizing internal activities and generating perceived changes among direct participants. Conversely, they face significant challenges in functionality and operability, exhibiting deficient resource management and external activities. The findings demonstrate that MAIP capabilities and governance can be effectively evaluated beyond mere participation metrics by employing a holistic matrix—the OEMAIP tool—that systematically integrates qualitative and quantitative indicators across functionality and governance dimensions. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that key organizational factors contributing to the success of these platforms in complex socio-ecological systems include robust internal resource management, equitable multi-actor decision-making structures, and strategic external advocacy. This tool provides researchers and practitioners with a valuable instrument to better understand the organizational factors contributing to platform success, which is crucial for promoting robust sustainable transitions.