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Adapting to Crisis: The Governance of Public Services for Migrants and Refugees during COVID-19 in Four European Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Zardo

    (Department for Migration and Globalization, Danube University Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems, Austria)

  • Lydia Rössl

    (Department for Migration and Globalization, Danube University Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems, Austria)

  • Christina Khoury

    (Department for Migration and Globalization, Danube University Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems, Austria)

Abstract

The lack of access to basic services played a big part among the key effects of COVID-19 on migrants and refugees. This paper examines the governance dynamics behind public services for migrants and refugees to understand how COVID-19 has impacted them and what accounts for different levels of adaptive capacity. It employs a mixed methods approach, using egocentric network analysis and qualitative interviews to compare the service ecosystems in four European cities from 2020 to 2022 (Birmingham, Larissa, Malaga, and Palermo). The paper explores the impact of two conditions on the service ecosystems’ ability to adapt to the pandemic: the structure of governance and the presence of dynamic capabilities. We argue that the ability of local governments to manage pandemic challenges is highly dependent on the formal distribution of comprehensive competences across various levels (the structure of governance), and the quality of network cooperation between different administrations and civil society (dynamic capabilities). Our analysis reveals that while both conditions are critical for the level of adaptive capacity in public services’ provision, the structure of governance is more likely to act as a constraint or trigger for coping strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Zardo & Lydia Rössl & Christina Khoury, 2023. "Adapting to Crisis: The Governance of Public Services for Migrants and Refugees during COVID-19 in Four European Cities," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:4:p:213-:d:1115756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zelalem Mengesha & Esther Alloun & Danielle Weber & Mitchell Smith & Patrick Harris, 2022. "“Lived the Pandemic Twice”: A Scoping Review of the Unequal Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Asylum Seekers and Undocumented Migrants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, May.
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    4. Emmaleena Käkelä & Helen Baillot & Leyla Kerlaff & Marcia Vera-Espinoza, 2023. "From Acts of Care to Practice-Based Resistance: Refugee-Sector Service Provision and Its Impact(s) on Integration," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Speer, Johanna, 2012. "Participatory Governance Reform: A Good Strategy for Increasing Government Responsiveness and Improving Public Services?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(12), pages 2379-2398.
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