4. Social inclusion

Definition

Social inclusion refers to:

  • A process by which the dynamics and structures of social exclusion are reduced, promoting a sense of belonging, safeguarding access to and utilisation of material resources in socially more equal ways, and thus allowing for the development of individual and collective capabilities that are vital for well-being 
  • The possibility to make use of and co-shape social and societal processes, such as those concerning production, reproduction, communication and recreation, which is the basis for leading a self-determined life. 
  • The support of specific vulnerable groups, including through democratic governance, such as democratic decision-making and practices, inclusive management, and inclusion of marginalised groups, measures of participation and organisational cohesion (e.g. solidarity, autonomy, mutual trust and cooperation, capacity for self-management) and accountability to stakeholders  

Context

Capturing the multi-dimensional character of social inclusion, four core dimensions of social inclusion can be distinguished: 

  • The political dimension (political voice), relating to (rights to) access to organisation, consultation, decision-making, and being acknowledged as having interests that need to be taken into account 
  • The economic dimension (economic resources), e.g. relating to access to the labour market and employment opportunities, influencing livelihood opportunities 
  • The cultural dimension (cultural recognition), relating to access to full citizenship rights for diverse identities, values, norms, ways of living 
  • The social dimension (social capital), relating to access to infrastructure, services and amenities, social services, social security and cohesion. 

Social inclusion in this four-fold sense is structurally inscribed as potential in social economy organisations due to their specific features. 

In Dices

DICES investigates how Social Economy organisations foster social inclusion. The project maps the impact of the Social Economy on social inclusion and the conditions for social economy actors to foster social inclusion for employees and service users across different European countries (WP2–WP3), it analyses organisational democracy and social dialogue and their relations with working conditions in the social economy (WP4), it assesses existing social economy initiatives and actions that aim at fostering social inclusion in left-behind places (WP5), and it implements pilot actions of innovative social economy care-providing initiatives and measures that aim to foster social inclusion in left-behind places (WP6). 

See also

Economic democracy · Organisational democracy · Social inclusion

Key reference

Peruzzi, A. (2014). Understanding Social Exclusion from a Longitudinal Perspective: A  

Capability-Based Approach. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, pp. 335-354. 

Popay, J., Escorel, S., Hernández, M., Johnston, H., Mathieson, J., Rispel, L. (2008): Understanding and tackling social exclusion. Final Report to the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health from the Social Exclusion Knowledge Network. SEKN Final Report, Geneva, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244919409_Understanding_and_tackling_social_exclusion