LOCALISE

Local Worlds of Social Cohesion. The Local Dimension of Integrated Social and Employment Policies

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Radical changes in the local governance of social cohesion in many Member States of the European Union are the focus of LOCALISE’s research on the organisational challenges of an integrated social and employment policy. The multiple needs of the most vulnerable groups in society require the integration of formerly separate policy fields. This creates positive dynamics for reducing social inequalities, fostering social cohesion and enhancing labour market participation – the crucial objectives of the new EU2020 strategy. Local activation policies are framed by Member States’ policies and patterns of regional inequality. But the shift of competences to the local level, the involvement of new actors and a closer collaboration of different agencies create new demands in interorganisational coordination. How do different institutional contexts influence local worlds of social cohesion? How do local actors deal with the conflicts and dilemmas caused by integrated social cohesion policies? What impact do these policies have on social inequality and the conception of social citizenship? LOCALISE addresses these questions by integrating multiple disciplines, and partners experienced in European and Social Policy research. A common theoretical and methodological approach guides the research in each work package. LOCALISE will create a critical mass of research in three key areas: we first analyse how European programmes, national governance patterns and the regional socio-economic context affect the local governance of social cohesion. Secondly, LOCALISE studies how 18 local entities in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom) cope with the challenges of an integrated social cohesion policy. Finally, we analyse the impact of these policies on social inequalities, citizenship and the most vulnerable social groups.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Examining the challenges of integrated social and employment policies highlights radical changes taking place within the governance of social cohesion.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Integrating policy fields that have traditionally been developed separately is intended to benefit society's most vulnerable groups and cater to their varied needs. Such an approach introduces positive dynamics that can work to foster social cohesion, reduce social inequalities and enhance participation in the labour market. However, the differential impact of integrated social and employment policies must be considered, given that Member States' policies and patterns of regional inequality frame local activation policies.

The EU-funded project 'Local worlds of social cohesion. The local dimension of integrated social and employment policies' (http://www.localise-research.eu/ (LOCALISE)) focused on such challenges. Project members used a common theoretical and methodological approach to guide their research and establish a critical mass of knowledge in key topic areas. One of the research strands involved the study of local entities in six European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom), examining how these localities cope with the challenges of an integrated social cohesion policy.

Following a comparative study of regulatory national contexts, LOCALISE analysed the implementation of social cohesion policies at the local level, and identified local modes of governance. Expert interviews with all relevant local stakeholders involved in local governance mechanisms and public services were carried out.

The case study findings indicate an increasing trend towards the integration of policy fields, especially in relation to training policies. Other findings highlight the increasing recognition of the importance of child care in achieving labour market integration. Also, there are variances, even within countries, regarding the integration of social services in the areas of health, housing and social assistance policies.

For disadvantaged groups, labour market participation depends on the provision of social services, yet the degree of integration differs between the realms of policy development and policy implementation. Interestingly, another finding across all countries was that employment policies remain in the national realm, while social assistance and social services are often regulated at the local level.

Considerations of increasing unemployment and income inequalities, amongst others, support the rationale behind a move to integrate social and employment policies. LOCALISE research thus underlines the positive benefits of linking policy development and service delivery in a way that can support the activation of vulnerable citizens at the local level.