Welfare Privatization in Italy Between Erosion of the Welfare State and Opportunities for Social Innovation

In Italy, the development of different forms of “private welfare” is at the core of a controversial debate. The phenomenon has deep roots and takes different forms within welfare mix and welfare society models. What’s new is the growing autonomy of social actors (profit and non-profit) in developing and funding welfare responses. Since the 2008 crisis outbreak, the increasing macro-economic constraints and the growth and diversification of social needs have led to the spreading of organized forms of private financing to implement measures of social welfare not adequately provided by the public policy. The idea that this “private welfare” could be an alternative to overcome the difficulties of the Italian Social Protection System is getting consensus. But, evaluations aren’t unambiguous. Based on the results of a recent study, the paper highlights where and why the universal provision of social services is more at risk of erosion, and whether and how new opportunities for social and institutional innovation open up to tackle unmet social needs.