The Impact of an Integrated Approach to Social Cohesion

Work Package Leader: ISUW

The target groups of integrated employment and social policies at the local level are often highly specific social groups. Policies which aim at better opportunities, better inclusion into society and a better well-being for the most vulnerable groups in society therefore have to focus on particular groups which are characterised by multiple barriers against participation in the labour market, resulting in long-term unemployment, labour market inactivity and resignation towards democracy and society. This may be particularly true for single mothers, low-skilled immigrants but it also includes young people from poor families. The effects of local activation policies on these groups therefore can be analysed only in a qualitative way. This is the target of this work package: WP07 will analyse the impact of an integrated social and employment policy on the social inclusion and well-being of the most vulnerable groups in society on the basis of the interviews conducted with local experts (see WP04). The questions to be analysed are:
• Do integrated social and employment policies address specific problems of vulnerable groups?
• How do local experts perceive and evaluate their implementation?
• How do they evaluate the impact of these policies on their well-being, work prospects and participation in a society?
On the basis of the interviews conducted on the local level, it will be possible to identify on the one hand the groups which are particularly affected by risks of social exclusion and on the other hand the effectiveness of the strategies und instruments previously analysed in order to reduce these risks.

Please find here the Comparative Report on the Impact of an Integrated Approach to Social Cohesion.