WLFARE CHANGES IN ITALY AND SOCIAL ECONOMY AS A WAY FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL INCLUSION Vincenzo Fortunato Department of Sociology and Political Science University of Calabria Italy

Restructuring the welfare systems in Europe Crisis of the welfare state Work Work End of full-time employment Need for a new systems of social security (pension schemes) Financial crises Family Family Gender based division of labour Different balance between paid work ond care work Stronger citizenship of women Individualization process Individualization process

Social priorities and new public agenda New poors Social exclusion related to changes within family structure and work flexible organization New forms of juvenile discomfort Problems related to increased migrations New social risks

The Italian experience Shift from welfare state to welfare mix State Market Third sector NGOs Families Community

The national law n.328/2000 Decision makers (mix) Decision makers (mix)State Non-profit organizations Targets TargetsIndividualsFamiliesCommunities How to work How to work New rules based on the criteria of “subsidiarity” Co-definition of social interventions at local level Evaluation procedures Local plans (piani di zona) for macro-areas starting from their needs

The “negotiation model” The mix (public and private organizations) is characterized by : 1. Reduced financial efforts of the State 2. Gradual decrease in direct State intervention 3. Significant increase the quantity/quality of tasks allocated to private social field (social economy) 4. Formalization of non-profit organizations and “professionalization” of people involved 5. Growth in the number of NGOs and people employed within social economy 6. From government to governance

What do we mean by social economy? Same subjects more definitions Non-profit sector Non-profit sector Private non-governmental sector Private non-governmental sector Voluntary sector Voluntary sector Independent sector Independent sector Philanthropic sector Philanthropic sector Third sector/ social private field Third sector/ social private field Social economy or Economie social Social economy or Economie social

Why do we need Social economy? Modern – post industrial societies have to cope with problems related to the lack of “relations” Need for “relational goods” that may only be “produced” by ad hoc organizations different from the State and form the market Non profit organizations which are deeply “rooted” within local communities and know people needs Balance between “Identity” and “organization”

What kind of organizations? Charity/voluntary organizations Charity/voluntary organizations Social organizations Social organizations Social cooperatives/ social enterprises Social cooperatives/ social enterprises NGOs NGOs Foundations Foundations

Table 1: Non-profit organisations in Italy - year 2003 Institutions Paid employmentVoluntee rs Social associations (cultural, recreational, sports associations ) 202,061281,099 3,039,088 Social co-operatives 6,952196,06715,934 Foundations 3,08856,145 65,432 Charity organisations* 26,40343,600968,000 NGOs 170– 1,526 Committees 3,8321,813 39,224 Other typologies 7,861146,571 94,009 Total 250,367725,295 4,223,213 * Some charity organisations are included among social associations. Source: Istat (2005)

Table 2: composition and employment of Italian non-profit organisations – year 2003 Activities InstitutionsPaid employmentVolunteers N.% % % Culture and arts38, , , Sports56, , , Recreation and socialisation40, , , Education and research8, , , Health8, , , Social services14, , , Environment3, , , Economic development and social cohesion3, , , Advocacy6, , , Philanthropy1, , Co-operation and international solidarity1, , Religion3, , , Business and professional15, , , Other activities , , Total202, , ,039,

Key role of families’ and friends’ associations Families give assistance to about 76% of not self sufficient elderly people or disabled (for an amount 75 billion Euros) Families give assistance to about 76% of not self sufficient elderly people or disabled (for an amount 75 billion Euros) Grandparents look after 50% of children up to 2 years Grandparents look after 50% of children up to 2 years 40% of children up to 14 years 40% of children up to 14 years

Social work and social economy: professionals or volunteers? 725,295 paid workers of whom 60% are women 725,295 paid workers of whom 60% are women 37,7 have a diploma 37,7 have a diploma 16,5% have a university degree 16,5% have a university degree 19,5 hold a professional qualification 19,5 hold a professional qualification

Public or private: strengths and weaknesses Public Public - Defined working time - Higher salary - Long life employment – pension Private Private - Motivation - Working conditions/friendly environment/ lower control /involvement - Personal satisfaction - Flexible working time that allows people to combine family needs and work expectations - Facility of access and exit (mobility)

Conclusions - Italy as a caring society based on family and private non profit organizations that directly provide social services - Decentralization: the new law 328/2000 moved from government to governance - community oriented approach: from individuals to communities - Significant growth of social economy in terms of organizations, responsibilities, financial resources, employment, outcomes - Peculiarity of non-profit organizations that show a better balance between both dimensions: solidarity (or identity) and service (or organization) - Greater orientation towards listening to the service users and their involvement as opposed to private market organizations - Challenges and opportunities for social workers within social economy