WP 6: Individualisation

The Individualisation of Interventions

Work Package Leader: SCORE

Reforms in local governance of social cohesion have significant consequences for social citizenship. LOCALISE pursues an agenda of outlining, comparing and assessing the construction of self-reliant citizens in six European countries, so far unprecedented. To this end, in WP06 we identify the consequences of an individualisation of interventions of social cohesion policy on the social construction of social citizenship (c.f. chapter 1.2.5). Integrated activation and social cohesion policies deal in a new way with social inclusion, overcoming inactivity traps based on a comprehensive approach to individual capability and employment. This new form of coupling employment and social policies reacts to the “increasing heterogeneity of the labour market and the stronger consideration of personal circumstances of job-seekers” (Eichhorst et al. 2008: 5). Thus, active social cohesion policies reflect an individualisation of welfare interventions, and a contractualisation of the relationship between citizens and the welfare state. In trying to activate the most vulnerable and weakest groups of society this individualised social cohesion policy implies an inherent conflict: It creates tensions between demands of market conformity and demands of individuality. Additionally, active and integrated social cohesion policy signifies a change in the relationship between the state and its citizens: from state paternalism towards subjectification.
• LOCALISE analyses the ‘objective’ spectrum of choice social cohesion policies provide. Local services construct opportunities and limitations with regard to enabling beneficiaries to become more capable to make choices on their life. Thus, we strive to analyse the conditions, reactivity and restrictions specific organisational models imply for beneficiaries to chose, determine and access tailor-made programmes and services. To what extent do beneficiaries have the possibility for individual voice, autonomy and self-determination in the delivery of social cohesion policy?
• LOCALISE reconstructs the construction of subjective social citizenship. We analyse the implications of different modes of local governance on the relationship between the state and its citizens. How do beneficieries and providers of social cohesion services individually perceive beneficieries’ discretion for individual voice, autonomy and self-determination as citizens?

Please find here the Comparative Report on the Individualisation of Social Citizenship in Europe.