Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of the Italian welfare state, with a particular focus on the contributions of Flavia Franzoni, who passed away in June 2023. The paper traces Franzoni’s journey, highlighting her role in the field of social work, evidenced by her teaching at a pioneering school of social service, the establishment of the influential journal «Autonomie locali e servizi sociali», and the founding of Iress cooperative society as a vibrant «laboratory of ideas». The paper traces her intense years in Rome and Brussels, during which she remained closely connected to Bologna, and her critical perspective on the Italian welfare crisis, which led to the formulation of an important law (n. 328/2000) for the social welfare sector. Franzoni’s return to teaching at the Faculty of Political Science in Bologna and her continued active engagement in social work until the end of her life are presented as a testament to her enduring impact on social reform and education.