Combating Poverty in Local Welfare Systems

"This volume provides an excellent comparative analysis on the implications of the growing relevance of local welfare systems in Europe. It avoids the "local trap" and using the local as an entry point, disentangles the complex web of multi-layered social policy arrangements against poverty. It avoids the "convergence rhetoric trap" embedding local changes in their contexts. A necessary read to critically unveil the issues at stake." (Yuri Kazepov, University of Vienna, Austria) "This book takes us beyond the realm of minimum income protection and statutory safety nets by exploring the "thick" nature of local welfare systems. What emerges from the various chapters is a fascinating picture of grass-root experiments to fight poverty and exclusion, involving a multitude of actors and resources. At the local level, the echo of national regime feature does remain, but it leaves ample room for innovation and hybridization of goals and instruments. A rich and original volume, which provides precious insights to both academic and policy debates." (Maurizio Ferrera, University of Milan, Italy)

This book analyzes national anti-poverty measures at a local level via a set of unique and up-to-date empirical studies of minimum income support schemes and activation measures in five European cities.This book analyzes national anti-poverty measures at a local level via a set of unique and up-to-date empirical studies of minimum income support schemes and activation measures in five European cities. In examining this 'local welfare system' approach, it investigates the role that civil society organizations play, and the governance arrangements that prevail in contacts between public and civil society actors in local anti-poverty strategies. The current financial and economic crisis has caused increasing levels of poverty and unemployment, and put national minimum income protection schemes under severe strain. Combating Poverty in Local Welfare Systems therefore represents a timely and important intervention in the political and scientific debates as to whether more ‘local welfare’ is the solution to the challenges facing European welfare states.