The study explores welfare governance in relation to disadvantaged areas, or so called Particularly Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) in Sweden. The definition of PVAs refers to deprived areas characterized by economic scarcity, a high share of immigrants, weak civil society, weak social ties, and high turnover rate amongst the inhabitants. According to the Police authority, 22 areas in Sweden were identified as PVAs. Policy initiatives at national, regional and local level have been taken to intensify collaboration at regional and local level in order to prevent the development of so-called parallel societal structures, characterized by resistance from inhabitants in partaking in judicial processes, the development of religiously motivated violent extremism, and a low trust in societal institutions.
The policy, strategic and operative work will be examined in four strategically selected PVAs. The purpose is to understand how national policies towards PVAs are translated into concrete measures at the local level. The interplay between national and local level is analyzed through policy analysis, combined with an analysis of local practices using interviews and observations. The case studies will contribute with knowledge about how to build trust, promote safety, and to break a negative societal development in these areas.
IFFS is a project partner in this project and below are listen people at IFFS who are part of it. The project is based at Linnaeus University.
