Un Reddito di autonomia per contrastare la povertà in Lombardia

The article presents a policy proposal – written on behalf of Caritas – to introduce in the Lombardy Region a minimum income scheme. This scheme, called Capability Income, is a “selective universalism” measure to fight poverty and social exclusion. It affirms an “active inclusion” strategy and follows an "enabling" approach. Thus, it provides for in cash and, above all, in kind benefits, so as to guarantee anyone the opportunity to enjoy "substantial freedom”, as suggested by the “capability approach”. Accordingly, it aims at detecting and removing the causes of poverty and their reproduction across the generations through a combined intervention of welfare, welfare to work and learnfare.