Abstract

This project explores non-work activation schemes, which are meant to secure and expand the social participation of unemployed welfare clients able to work in the framework of the German Social Code II.  Activation and increasing social participation through subsidized labour and job creation schemes is rather common in Germany, although their contribution to social integration has been fairly underregarded. But while schemes of non-labour social activation, like cultural or social activities, sports or mutual support groups, are quite common in the Netherlands, they are not very well known in Germany. Based on interviews with experts in local welfare institutions, the project aims to explore scope, varieties and results of non-labour social activation measurements, especially with regard to their contribution to social integration and labour market participation.