The Social Investment Perspective and its Territorial Dimension

This literature review presents a survey of existing literature on the link between the Social Investment (SI) approach to social policy and territorial cohesion (TC). The SI approach is presented looking at its origins and underpinning principles. The SI perspective has been debated and so far promoted mainly at national and supranational level, while the territorial dimension of this approach has been relatively underestimated in the policy as well as academic debate. Therefore, a theoretical frame to articulate the territorial dimension of SI is also provided. A place-sensitive approach to complementarities should be included within the analytical framework when addressing the territorial articulation of SI, as territorial-related variables may foster or hinder SI policies.