Objective
Comparative Social Inclusion Policy and Citizenship in Europe
In the changing socio-economic environment of the late 20thC Europe traditional post-war versions of 'the European social model' are in crisis. What new forms might social inclusion policy and social citizenship policy take in the European Union and its member-states?
This Thematic Network proposal is animated by the need to make some progress in answering these large and difficult questions during the 1997-9 period, which is likely to be a challenging and important period in the process of European integration.
The proposal is for an established international team, operating through a Thematic Network, to analyse and evaluate contemporary socio-economic policy frameworks and processes in 8 EU member states during 1997-9. The Network will focus on types of policy which emphasise civil society's role in work and welfare policy. It will explore and test the following general Hypothesis: i.e. that Social Inclusion policies which give a positive and constructive role
(a) to atypical and flexible forms of work, and
(b) to principles of citizenship and civil society,
- other things being equal (e.g. material resources), - are perceived as being more effective and successful by policy-makers, policy-implementers and policyrecipients than traditional forms of social policy which marginalise these principles and which marginalise and even penalize these forms of work.
The Network's Work Programme will test the Hypothesis through a set of 4 Work Packages involving a comparative examination of a range of policies in North and South Europe, particularly those aimed at young people and emphasising atypical, flexible and innovative forms of work and related forms of welfare (including 'activation' programmes, 'informal economy'-based and home-based work programmes etc.). Based on this new empirical and analytical research the project will produce 4 Reports, - 3 on aspects of Comparative Social Inclusion Policies (Frameworks, Case-Studies and Actors' Perceptions) and 1 summing up the project's implications for the development of a 'New European Social Model'.
Through its Reports and its Meetings Programme the Network will develop and disseminate a range of analyses of Comparative Social Inclusion Policy 'frameworks', programmes and practical case-studies. It will use policy actors' perceptions to help evaluate them. It will also develop and disseminate a citizenship-based cross-national framework and methodology for the future development and evaluation of Social Inclusion Policies in Europe.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
S10 2TY Sheffield
United Kingdom