The Italian response to the economic and health crises: a budgetary comparison

PurposeThis article aims at shedding light on differences in terms of crisis management approaches adopted by the Italian government in order to tackle the two most impactful crises that heavily hit the entire globe in the last 15 years: the financial and economic crisis occurred in 2007/2008 and the health crisis occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the article makes conceptual previsions on the potential impact of the health crisis even though, at this time, it is hard to predict the exact extent of its negative consequences.Design/methodology/approachThe authors implement a comparative approach, in terms of budgetary response, to identify the differences and the consequences of the different responses provided by the Italian government to deal with the two worldwide crises.FindingsWhile the economic and financial crisis occurred in the past decade required the Italian government to adopt predominantly austerity measures, the pandemic occurred due to the spreading of COVID-19 pushed the Italian government to adopt investment and fiscal policy based on tax breaks in order to allow the re-launch of the socio-economic fabric of the nation.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper stems from the scant research focused on the budgetary response of governments to tackle global crises. In addition, the paper endeavours to demonstrate the consequences of the myopic vision of the political leaders who, as it occurred in the Italian context, mainly aimed at maximizing the results in the short run at the expense of the potential consequences in the long run

The Impact of COVID-19 on Public/Third-Sector Collaboration in the Italian Context

The extent of the effects produced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the collaboration between public administrations and the third sector is currently unclear. Undoubtedly, as in any other organizations, social enterprises and non-profit organizations have been severely affected by the spread of COVID-19, especially regarding their relationship with the public sector. Based on an analysis of 563 Italian third sector entities (ETSs) that responded to an online survey launched in March 2020, this study aims to explore the current state and extent of the potential change in the collaboration between organizations belonging to the third sector and the Italian public administration system in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The results have shown that only approximately one-third of the organizations have been asked to jointly contribute with the public sector to contain the negative effects of the pandemic. In other cases, spontaneous support initiatives have been undertaken to manage the crisis. The findings have also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the internal operating and functioning mechanisms of the organizations operating in the third sector. The study concludes with a forecast of the potential exacerbation of the difficulties currently faced by the third sector and with the provision of future strategic paths to contain the health, social and economic effects of the pandemic

The Impact of COVID-19 on Public/Third-Sector Collaboration in the Italian Context

The extent of the effects produced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the collaboration between public administrations and the third sector is currently unclear. Undoubtedly, as in any other organizations, social enterprises and non-profit organizations have been severely affected by the spread of COVID-19, especially regarding their relationship with the public sector. Based on an analysis of 563 Italian third sector entities (ETSs) that responded to an online survey launched in March 2020, this study aims to explore the current state and extent of the potential change in the collaboration between organizations belonging to the third sector and the Italian public administration system in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The results have shown that only approximately one-third of the organizations have been asked to jointly contribute with the public sector to contain the negative effects of the pandemic. In other cases, spontaneous support initiatives have been undertaken to manage the crisis. The findings have also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the internal operating and functioning mechanisms of the organizations operating in the third sector. The study concludes with a forecast of the potential exacerbation of the difficulties currently faced by the third sector and with the provision of future strategic paths to contain the health, social and economic effects of the pandemic

Migrants’ Economic integration Cluster. Implement in cluster a new form of governance to empower social capital of local networks for Third Country’s Nationals’ Labour inclusion

The Labour Integration for Migrants' Employment (LIME) project, dedicated to young third-country nationals (aged 18-29), released a toolkit for designing cluster interventions. Networks have become a main tool for cooperation among various integration stakeholders. The current toolkit is based on the Migrants Economic Integration Cluster (MEIC) methodology: a participatory approach to creating networks - or clusters - among public and private stakeholders. Working in such clusters is seen as key to faster, multi-stakeholder approach to integration. Drawing on the experience of the seven LIME project partners based in France, Italy and Spain, the toolkit argues that the MEIC approach is transferable across Europe. The toolkit goes on to illustrates the MEIC methodology, suggesting concrete steps for engaging institutional and private stakeholders, creating and managing clusters to respond to specific integration needs, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of such networks. In addition to the toolkit, the project published the EU recommendation paper “Implement in cluster: a new form of governance to empower social capital of local networks for Third Country Nationals’ labour inclusion”. The paper promotes the involvement of beneficiaries in the co-design of labour inclusion programs at the local level, argues in favour of qualification recognition procedures for third-country nationals, and more. Both documents are available in English, Italian and Spanish