Abstract

This paper focuses on the geographical pattern shown by active policies. Three regions in the south of Italy are taken into consideration: Basilicata, Campania and Apulia. The specificities of the regional labour market are illustrated, after which attention turns to the measures adopted by the three regions in terms of active policies in order to identify the particular characteristics and reconstruct the overall regional government labour market system. In fact, the enhancement of regional autonomy entailed in the on-going process of decentralisation endows the regions with significant tools and competences to take an active part in the organisation and supply of a major part of the public forms of support for employment. All this implies serious problems, aggravated by the recession now underway, with respect to the regions' capacity to devise and implement effective public policies.