The article aims to analyze tools and processes through which the Activation policies are carried out in different territorial contexts and policy fields. Starting from a con- sideration about the indefiniteness of these policies, positioned somewhere between assistance and employability measures, we choose to analyze three policy tools which theoretically have this peculiarity: Microcredito, Borse lavoro, and Incentivi allo sviluppo locale, and to study their implementation process in two regions (Lazio e Calabria). The results of empirical analysis will show that there is not a one-size fit all strategy to carry out Activation policies but there are different ingredients correlated to socio-economic peculiarities of the territory and socio-institutional capacities to take into account.