Abstract

This article looks at an anti-poverty measure recently introduced in Apulia as part of the national SIA (Support for Active Inclusion) initiative. The author focuses on the role played by complex «governance» and highlights that local actors such as the third sector, employers' associations, and trade unions have different expectations in relation to the initiative. The article also retraces the various phases of implementation and presents the first frequency distributions of applications made by hopeful beneficiaries. In the author's view, this initiative represents the continuation of a regional policy, known as «Cantieri di Cittadinanza», which was launched in experimental form three years ago and which focuses on local municipalities joining together into territorial groupings (Ambiti). The conclusions highlight the general difficulties faced by any policy that tries to tackle extreme poverty whilst also trying to promote users' employability.