'Then we offer them a new project'—the production of projects in social work conducted by civil society in Sweden. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herz, Marcus
• Is Part Of: Journal of civil society. Volume 12:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 365
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Civil society -- social welfare -- projects -- social work -- Sweden; Civil society -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; 306.2
• DOI: 10.1080/17448689.2016.1232782
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-8689

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In some areas in Europe and Sweden, it is possible to find institutional deficits, that is, areas wherein the welfare state has more or less withdrawn its institutions. In parallel with this development, greater interest has shifted towards social work already being conducted by volunteers and non-profit organizations. How this social work could take on more responsibility for the social well-being of society is a key question. By applying the theory of 'production of projects', this article examines 13 projects conducted by civil society organizations in Sweden and how they could relate to the civil sector becoming a complement or even an alternative to the state welfare sector. In terms of competition for funding, the projects need to be able to package their ideas well and manage relationships with the beneficiaries. The lack of long-term alternatives and the demand for innovative ideas influence the civil sector's ability to take more responsibility for the social well-being of society and make political influence more difficult.