Scopes of Solidarity in Times of Crisis: Insights from Poland

Poland coped well with the worldwide economic crisis and refugee challenge. However, studies show that the crisis did in fact exist, and the state’s poor response to it was reflected in the citizens who bore its brunt. As for migration, polarised public discourse and the attitude of the government resulted in social tension, including extreme right-wing parties mobilising citizens around migration issues. In this chapter, using qualitative data from the TransSOL project, the authors answer the following question: How have crises and other changing circumstances affected organised solidarity in different social fields, namely unemployment, migration and disability? The chapter argues that, according to the theory of the economic recession’s impact on multidimensional solidarity due to the austerity measures, or the Polish government’s inaction, social solidarity did emerge, but in unforeseen ways and fields.

Transnational Solidarity Organisations in Contemporary Greek Civil Society: Vibrant, Multifarious and Politicised

Based on interviews conducted with groups working in the fields of migration, disabilities and unemployment, this chapter offers insights into Greek civil society as it has emerged and developed during the economic and refugee crises. The findings of these interviews also testify to a vibrant pre-crises Greek civil society, which has become even more multifarious and politicised. The newly imposed grievances as the backdrop of a deteriorating political framework led to the growth of the organisational field (more volunteers and new groups) and more voices in regard to issues and demands. It seems that active participation in solidarity activities beyond the provision of help to beneficiaries has become a means in itself for one part of Greek society in its efforts to overcome and recover from the dual economic and migration crisis.

Against the Tide: Transnational Solidarity in Brexit Britain

This chapter discusses UK-based civil society organisations supporting vulnerable groups (migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; disabled people; and the unemployed) which have been on the front line of a decade of austerity and funding cuts. It does so by exploring the relationship between these organisations and policymakers; the impact of austerity on the organisations themselves; the mission and activities of these organisations and the cooperation between organisations at different scales (transnational, national and local). Our findings reveal a tale of ‘two Britains’: one of top-down policies and discourses which are anti-solidarity and re-activate decades-old discourses of dependency and deservingness; and another Britain of grassroots solidarity, (self-)organised from the bottom up, often in partnership with austerity-hit local government.

Civil Society Activism in Italy Across Different Fields: A Multifaceted Picture of Solidarity in Hard Times

Over the last years, Italian civil society organisations have been working on a daily basis to mitigate the impact of both the global economic crisis and the refugee crisis, which have increased social vulnerabilities. Relying on the data gathered through 30 in-depth interviews with transnational solidarity organisations’ representatives, this chapter analyses solidarity practices in three fields of activity: disability, unemployment and migration. Results show that solidarity attitudes, practices and discourses are strongly influenced by the policy domain in which the organisations are active. Furthermore, the crisis led organisations to search for new strategies and approaches, even though it has been an ineffective vector of transnationalisation due to lack of resources, and the necessity to cope with pressing needs at national and local level/s.

Conclusions: Differing Contexts, Converging Experiences, Transnational Solidarity

The concluding chapter shifts attention to the diverging socio-economic and political contexts of transnational solidarity organisations from eight European countries, ranging from a severe impact of the Eurozone and migration policy crisis to experiences less affected by recent crises but more vigorously shaped by policy-driven aggravations due to austerity measures, welfare retrenchments and immigration restrictions. The conclusions also underline the considerable number of similarities between solidarity activities and discourses since activists everywhere are concerned about increasing grievances and social problems nurtured by recent crises and/or long-standing public policy transformations. In particular, they highlight salient parallels between most of the countries with regard to politicisation and contentiousness, cooperation and transnationalism and social learning and innovation, while also raising awareness for field-specific differences and particularities.

Introduction: Citizen Organisations, Transnational Solidarity and Collective Learning in Europe

This edited volume is devoted to the analysis of practices of transnational solidarity in response to the various crises affecting Europe, especially the economic and refugee crises. Its aim is to present new insights into existing informal groups, at the grassroots, geared at furthering transnational solidarity in three thematic areas (disability, unemployment and immigration) and builds on extensive fieldwork in eight European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the UK). The introductory chapter provides an overview of the topic and the related research, discusses conceptual and methodological issues, and presents the structure of the book. It argues that the transnational solidarity work of citizen groups and organisations is strongly shaped by the socio-economic and political context in which they operate, by the action repertoires they promote, the networks of cooperation they are involved in and the experiences and lessons learned by engaged citizens and activists. It argues that in spite of apparent differences tied to contexts, there are a number of similarities in regard to the way transnationally oriented solidarity groups and organisations respond to societal challenges.

New Challenges and Changing Opportunities: The Differing Responses of Transnational Solidarity Organisations in Germany

In her study of the German case, Zschache shows that the activism and discourse of local transnational solidarity organisations (TSOs) in Germany display a considerable amount of similarities. In particular, the author argues that solidarity work has become more political, insisting more strongly on an advocatory, rights-based approach. She also draws attention to the importance of collaboration as a means to enhance the effectivity of solidarity work and to promote mutual empowerment as a crucial principle of solidarity. Moreover, the author offers new insights into how TSOs react to changing circumstances, engage in joint learning and promote innovations. In this context, the discourse of solidarity that seeks to transcend specific target groups and commits to a more integrated, cross-sectoral approach is particularly salient.

Organisational Solidarity in Switzerland Across Fields: Interlinkage Between Immigration and (Un)employment

This chapter is devoted to an in-depth analysis of qualitative interviews about practices of solidarity in Switzerland among the fields of (un)employment and immigration. The chapter shows how institutional arrangements (policy frameworks) shape organisational solidarity within and across these two fields. The history of immigration in Switzerland goes hand in hand with the development of labour policies. This entrenchment is reflected in the activities held by the transnational solidarity organisations (TSOs) and the type of beneficiaries they support. The current research assesses TSOs’ solidarity practices while focusing on their networks of cooperation. Findings reveal that although “immigrants” and “workers” are not mutually exclusive groups, there is an implicit boundary between (un)employment and immigration associations. This translates into an organisational gap where people in situations of multiple sources of vulnerability lack full organisational support (e.g., precarious immigrant workers).

The Danish Welfare State and Transnational Solidarity in Times of Crisis

This chapter investigates transnational solidarity action across the fields of unemployment, disability and immigration in Denmark. It discusses how solidarity is manifested and organised by civil society, focusing on 30 qualitative interviews conducted with the so-called transnational solidarity organisations (TSOs). The chapter explores solidarity challenges that Danish TSOs were facing in the context of the welfare retrenchment and the structural reform in 2007, as well as the 2008 financial crisis and the migration crisis of 2015. Our interviews confirm that the effects of the financial crisis, austerity measures and the migration crisis were not easy to separate from the welfare retrenchment in the Danish system. These recent changes to the welfare state have been experienced as dramatic as they have loosened the traditionally close ties between the Danish civil society and municipalities in providing welfare services. The voluntary sector has, in response, become more political, not only providing services to affected groups but also increasingly seeking to defend their social rights, as well as entering into conflict with the government.

Changing Fields of Solidarity in France: A Cross-field Analysis of Migration, Unemployment and Disability

This chapter evaluates the implications of recent crises for solidarity organisations in France. The main aim is to assess whether solidarity remains nationally bounded or otherwise follows some consistent pattern of transnationalisation. By focusing on the fields of migration, unemployment and disability, the chapter examines the main attributes of solidarity organisations; in particular, the analysis aims to evaluate how transnational features relate to endogenous characteristics, such as activities, roles and networks affecting their particular experiences within changing fields of solidarity. Crucially, findings show that the economic crisis and welfare retrenchment in France have well served the purpose of governments willing to pre-empt strong political challenge by potential solidarity movements.