D.03. Economic Constraints in Educational Participation and the Design of New Policies
Over recent decades, research and policy debates on educational participation (including vocational education and training) have emphasized non-economic barriers – educational pathways, cultural background, and soft skills. In many continental European systems, low fees and the presence of scholarships shape the view that financial barriers are contained. Yet economic constraints persist and may be intensifying amid broader societal impoverishment.
These constraints are often indirect, as hidden expenses (materials, transport, digital access, rent, etc.), foregone earnings and time, and unequal capacity to navigate services. Moreover, economic hardship shapes mental frameworks and decision-making— through constrained time horizons, limited information, and reduced planning capacity—affecting educational choices even where formal support exists.
While existing financial support policies are substantial, they often assume stable take-up, homogeneous needs, and frictionless access. A growing body of innovation and evaluation is therefore exploring more integrated approaches that combine monetary support with measures addressing the above-mentioned issues.
This panel invites sociological, economic, and political science contributions addressing:
- The full cost of educational participation, including indirect and “hidden” expenses and opportunity costs.
- Empirical evidence on the relationship between poverty-reduction measures—especially unconditional or quasi-unconditional cash transfers—and educational participation and learning outcomes, in Italy and comparatively. Contributions focusing on Italian schemes (e.g., Reddito di Inclusione, Reddito di Cittadinanza, etc.) are welcome.
- Policy designs that target indirect costs and access frictions, including international best practices and asset-building approaches (e.g., education savings or matched accounts).
We welcome theoretical and empirical work that can inform more nuanced policy design and implementation.