Regional disparities and flexicurity policies

Regional disparities and flexicurity policies: an integrated approach

Through the present research “Regional disparities and flexicurity policies: an integrated approach”, FGB intends to promote an integrated approach to the monitoring and implementation of flexicurity policies at the regional level. More specifically, the project refers to the analysis of the regional governance model of flexicurity policies in Italy, which is prominent with regard to the management of active labour market policies and lifelong learning activities. In this framework, the proposed approach aims at integrating different methodologies in order to orient flexicurity policies to regional specificities. In order to infer policy suggestions and strengthen the process of mutual learning, the Italian case will be investigated through a comprehensive comparison with the experiences of United Kingdom and Spain and in-depth analysis of the cases of two Italian Regions: Veneto and Liguria. Actually, Italy and Spain present a similar pattern for employment policies governance, providing local management of active policies, training activities and employment services; in the United Kingdom, despite labour policies are managed centrally, their application is diversified according to the regional area of intervention.

The research activity will develop through three subsequent steps. In the first one, regional performances referred to the four flexicurity pillars and the implementation of flexicurity measures will be assessed through both quantitative and qualitative tools, and a specific focus will be devoted to regional labour market legislations. Moreover, the Italian experience will be assessed through two specific regional case studies, relating to Veneto and Liguria. In the second one, the Italian experience will be compared, by a process of peer review and mutual learning, with the ones of Spain and UK. Finally, mainly following a policy suggestion perspective, case studies presented by Regions and foreign partners as well as evidences provided by analyses conducted in the first phase of the project will be synthesized and policy guidelines, also referring to best practices, will be identified.