Sul Reddito di cittadinanza a Taranto: una politica ambigua in un territorio marginale.

The implementation of the Italian Citizenship Income has revealed its ambiguous nature and challenges, especially in marginal contexts. Although fundamentally conceived as an active labor market policy (ALMP) for vulnerable segments of the population, its dual objectives – reactivating inactive individuals and supporting impoverished subjects – often conflict. This study employs ethnographic methods, including semi-structured interviews with 78 stakeholders and participant observation, to analyze the policy’s application in Taranto, a Southern Italian city facing deindustrialization. Findings reveal significant structural inefficiencies, including fragmented governance, under-resourced employment centers, and misaligned or poor labor market opportunities. The study reports, indeed, inadequate job support and limited training opportunities, compounded by negative stereotyping and a struggling local economy. The Citizenship Income policy, rather than alleviating poverty, risks perpetuating marginalization due to its inability to adapt to local needs or address systemic socio-economic challenges. Hence, the study highlights the necessity for tailored, context-sensitive policy designs to achieve meaningful social inclusion.