Description
In the rural area of Capitanata (FG), agricultural labor exploitation and illegal intermediation systems persist due to weak welfare structures and limited institutional coordination. In response, an informal inter-organizational network of third sector and civil society actors has emerged to support and protect migrant workers’ rights.
In this context, this contribution aims to explore the role of inter-organizational networks active in Capitanata, emphasizing how interdependence among actors can act both as a constraint and a resource for collective action. The research originates from an experimental action-research thesis conducted in 2023, which investigated the structure and functioning of the network through a mixed-method approach combining Social Network Analysis (SNA), qualitative interviews, and a period of participant observation in Borgo Mezzanone, an informal settlement where migrants live in conditions of extreme marginalization.
The analysis carried out a fragmented collaborative ecosystem, with wide margins of improvement and synergistic potential. Informal relationships activated by local actors could form a basis for developing more cohesive and effective community interventions. Therefore, the strengthening of internal coordination is configured as a crucial strategy to avoid duplication of activities, optimize available resources, and promote more integrated action. The network would benefit from the introduction of planning mechanisms capable of orienting initiatives towards more strategic, structured, and sustainable cooperation in the long term.
Starting from this analysis, possible scenarios for strengthening the network are imagined, aimed at promoting more effective collaboration and greater protagonism of the actors in policy-making processes. From a future perspective, a desirable evolution of the study could consist of activating a participatory path between public and private bodies, aimed at the co-planning of urban and community regeneration interventions. That path, supported by a third party with technical expertise, would respond in a shared and inclusive manner to the needs of the territory.
Keywords/Topics
Inter-organizational networks, Social Network Analysis, policy-making processes, community
