Migration has long shaped European societies, yet it is increasingly framed as a crisis, particularly in urban contexts where public institutions struggle to provide adequate reception and integration services. In these settings, civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in supporting migrants and sustaining local public service ecosystems. This article examines how CSOs facilitate inter-organizational cooperation in the San Siro neighbourhood of Milan, a marginalized urban area characterized by socio-economic vulnerability.
Drawing on social network analysis and thematic analysis, we explore how CSOs coordinate with third-sector organizations and street-level bureaucracies, the motivations guiding partner selection, and the mechanisms of trust and collaboration that underpin network functioning.
Our findings highlight the potential of CSOs to foster bottom-up, network-based governance models that promote social innovation, enhance service provision and mitigate the effects of structural marginalization.
By analysing the strengths and limitations of these collaborative networks, the study contributes to debates on urban migration policy, co-production of public services and the role of non-state actors in contexts of systemic vulnerability.
