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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical research examining how local agencies interpret and implement a policy instrument that aims at reorganising fragmented interventions for disabled people employment in Milan. The main aim of this research is to analyse the organisational difficulties and opportunities that this new employment instrument faces and how it changes the courses of action and organisational logics of the local agencies. Design/methodology/approach -This issue is examined through the analysis of the design and implementation phases. The analytical framework used combines two concepts: capability and policy instruments. The empirical research is based on an in-depth empirical investigation. Findings -The paper shows that the Emergo Plan could not transform the way the agencies work: measures are bent and adapted to agencies' organisational routines or to labour market's logics and they do not guarantee adequate social support in order to promote disabled people's capabilities. This has consequences in terms of: chance of projects personalisation; participation and activation of disabled people; and job opportunities.Research limitations/implications -The paper focuses on one specific case study, the Emergo Plan, and the recipients were not interviewed. Further research is needed in order to assess the discussed issues at a more theoretical level and consider the beneficiaries' voices. Originality/value -The paper presents some indications about the relation between public administration and local agencies and its implications and consequences in terms of organisational arrangements for public policies and related services.

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This article investigates the relationship between social innovation, solidarity and experiences of socio-political activism at the urban level by researching local responses to the social crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in Milan and Naples. The study analyses the role of some urban self-organised groups against the social effects of isolation and the dynamics of de-politicisation and re-politicisation underlying the governance of the emergency. In addition, it highlights how the extent of the crisis can, on the one hand, push towards unprecedented coalitions potentially able to re-politicise local governance and, on the other, promote a convergence towards the logic of the ‘post-welfare city', which risks neutralising the innovative effect of the transformations.