Social investment is a key theoretical paradigm in the academic and political debates on welfare recalibration, new social risks and inequalities in post-industrial and knowledge-based societies. Social investment research and policy debate have so far focused exclusively on the national level, neglecting the importance of policies and services at the territorial level. 

CITILab project aims to address this gap by analysing the institutional and governance capacities of cities in the framework of social investment. The focus of the project is on the cities of Milan and Amsterdam, and on policies addressed to the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and low-skilled working women. 

CITILab identifies, compares, and examines local social investment policies and highlights both innovative practices and weaknesses, to be shared and discussed with local stakeholders and civil society organisations dealing with labour market disadvantages and marginalization.

CITILab is committed to raising the awareness of policy makers on the importance of complementary interventions in areas such as education, care, skill development, and work-life balance. Furthermore, the project promotes an on-going dialogue between academic research and civil society to foster equal employment opportunities, a more accessible society, and an inclusive transition to an increasingly digitised economy.

The research project aims to accomplish several goals. In particular, CITILab aims at exploring, analysing and comparing policies adopted in the last decade to tackle multiple disadvantages and inequalities in the labour market in Milan and Amsterdam, affecting risk groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, low-skilled working women. 

Through a comparative approach, CITILab aims to identify (in)effective policies, examines their characteristics, achievements, and challenges. The research relies on qualitative and quantitative methods to gain an in-depth understanding of specific contexts and provide a solid empirical knowledge base for future research and interventions.

The research will provide in-depth knowledge, insights and policy recommendations contributing to the public and academic debates on how to promote equal opportunities in the labour market.