(Well)Coming Territories: Where Social Wellbeing and Migrant Reception Initiatives Meet in Southern Europe

Abstract

A comprehensive approach to social well-being in peripheral non-urban areas involves examining its collective dimension and understanding how it manifests in various contexts and among different populations that are temporarily or permanently linked to these areas. This paper explores the
impact of initiatives aimed at local socioeconomic revitalization through the reception of migrants. The study employs a qualitative methodology, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and focus groups. This article emphasizes the often-overlooked social dimension of well-being by investigating several cases from the Spanish and Italian peninsulas. It aims to shed light on the implications for rural areas undergoing revitalization, particularly in relation to concepts such as integration, location, and sustainability. To achieve this, the concept of social well-being is analyzed through four interconnected dimensions: a) social capital and social infrastructure, b) access to services and housing, c) homemaking, and d) environmental sustainability. Together, these dimensions help construct the notion of social territories, providing a foundation for understanding how well-being is developed in the peripheral rural areas of these two countries.