Social Network Programme: Redefinition of Social Policies or Territorial Base Governance Instances

Abstract

This article results from the Evaluation of the Social Network Program carried out by the Centre for Territorial Studies for the Social Security Institute. Created in 1997 by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 197/97 of 18 November, the Social Network Programme appears in a context of broad discussion on social policy(s) and an attempt to transition to an intervention paradigm that points to the need for active social policies aimed at promoting effective processes of social inclusion. Based on the results of the evaluation, we highlight that the experience of implementing the Social Network at local level has tended to go beyond the scope of Social Policy (even considering Active Social Policies), so institutionally, it is be important to clarify if the intention is to confine the Programme to that scope or to assume the local Social Networks as effective territorial-based governance bodies.