Integrated social assistance for refugees: governance dynamics in Tuscany’s Reception and Integration System projects

Introduction. Overcoming methodological nationalism is essential to understanding how social assistance policies for refugees and asylum seekers operate within the Italian context. Persistent delays by the national government in the implementation of reception and integration policies have long been offset by the efforts of local authorities and civil society organisations. As a result, significant territorial disparities have emerged, becoming a structural feature of the Italian context. Given these disparities and the central role played by local actors, Italy represents a particularly relevant case for examining how localised social work practices with refugees address these ongoing challenges. Social workers can play a pivotal role as mediators among diverse stakeholders—including institutional actors, migrant families, and local communities—fostering mutual engagement and promoting integrated models of intervention. Methods. Drawing on a multilevel governance perspective, this article explores the provision of social assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Italy, with particular attention to the challenges and good practices emerging from the heterogeneity of reception projects and territorial welfare systems. The analysis combines secondary sources—such as institutional documents, project reports, and existing literature—with primary data. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with coordinators of SAI (Reception and Integration System) projects in Tuscany to gain deeper insights into stakeholders’ perspectives and the operational dynamics of the reception system. The article is based on research carried out within the Global-ANSWER project and focuses on the Tuscan model of reception, characterised by small- and medium-sized facilities and an integrated governance approach. This model offers a valuable case for analysing how social assistance is organised and implemented at the local level. Results. The analysis of qualitative data gathered through interviews with SAI project representatives identifies three distinct governance models of social assistance, each reflecting varying degrees of institutional coordination, resource integration, and modes of social workers involvement. The findings point to notable differences in how services are structured across territories, while confirming the key role of social workers in linking reception interventions with local welfare systems. Discussion and conclusions. Persistent resource constraints, service fragmentation, and the delegation of welfare responsibilities to third-sector organisations emerge as key obstacles to effective and sustainable interventions. By examining an example of good practice developed in Tuscany to strengthen coordination among social workers, public institutions, and third-sector actors, the article underscores the importance of investigating localised social work practices with refugees to better understand both the systemic barriers and the innovative strategies shaping social work with displaced populations. Future research should further examine how local governance configurations influence these practices, identifying the conditions that support or hinder inclusive and effective interventions.