Komplexa problem, lokala lösningar. En kartläggning av samverkansarbetet inom Malmö stads Områdesprogram

Sammanfattning: Collaboration between vastly different actors within society is often considered as the only viable solution to complex social problems. This thesis explores the concept of collaboration by examining the structure of a municipal area development initiative that is underpinned by numerous collaborative projects. By viewing the program as a solution to a complex problem, the study scrutinize what kind of problem the solution is based upon. Carol Bacchi’s policy analysis method form the basis of the analytical tool that is being used to investigate the connections between perceived problems and solutions in-depth. Interviews with accountable civil servants and collaborative partners reveal a rich picture of perceived problem pictures, or problem representations, and ideas of collaboration as an exigency. As an answer to Bacchi’s question ”What’s the problem represented to be?”, the study reveals that the ideas of social problems are closely linked to physical structures in the neighborhood. The analysis indicates that the quintessence of the problem that collaboration is addressing is the municipality’s lack of engagement with the citizens. The program appears to be organized around the idea that non-municipal actors have better conditions to interact with the citizens in order to gain influence and legitimacy to the area development projects.