From a bullring to a house for everyone: collaboration in times of COVID-19

Learning outcomes At the end of the case analysis, students will be able to recognize the key actors involved in the project and their specific roles within the coordinated social response; explain the concept of systems thinking as applied to the management of social projects in health crisis situations; use the Saliencia model to prioritize the management of the actors involved in the project; and evaluate public policy alternatives that can be implemented, proposing improvements or models of long-term sustainability to serve indigent people. Case overview/synopsis In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the priorities of governments and communities around the world. In Lima, Peru, the municipality responded with an unprecedented measure to protect the homeless population, highly vulnerable to the virus. The historic Acho bullring, a cultural emblem of the city, was transformed into “La Casa de Todos”, a temporary shelter that offered shelter, food, medical care and recreational activities to 120 vulnerable people, prioritizing the elderly and people with disabilities. This project emerged as an emergency solution to mitigate the health and social risks generated by the pandemic. However, it also raised tensions with the residents of the neighboring community, who initially resisted the idea of converting the space into a shelter. Guillermo Ackermann, director of social responsibility at Beneficencia de Lima and in charge of the project, now faces a critical dilemma: how to implement a social responsibility approach that addresses the immediate needs of indigent people during the COVID-19 health crisis, while involving and transforming the neighbors of the Plaza de Acho into active allies of the project? Complexity academic level This case study is designed for students of undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of social responsibility, administration and public management. It is also relevant to specific modules such as stakeholder management and decision-making. This case study allows students to explore issues such as the impact of social responsibility decisions on resource management in the health care context. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.