Local Welfare

Local welfare systems have emerged particularly in European countries, as a consequence of demographic, economic, and institutional changes that started in the mid-1970s. Local welfare is considered more effective in meeting the heterogeneity of the populations' needs, more participatory and sustainable, and more able to activate citizens and local agencies compared to standardized national welfare states' provisions. At the same time, local welfare is assumed to be less expensive while being more effective. These two aspects of local welfare can entail opposite political strategies, leading to controversial situations: cuts in expenses and privatization of welfare services opposing the diffusion of social investments, activation, and innovative welfare practices. One of the main risks in the rise of local welfare systems is an increase in social and territorial inequalities, particularly when an effective national regulatory framework is lacking.