Celebrating Innovation and Excellence in Social Services
At the forefront of providing support to individuals, families and communities, particularly during times of crisis, social services are central to creating caring, inclusive, and productive societies.
The annual European Social Services Awards (ESSA) acknowledges outstanding achievements in social services. Organised by the European Social Network (ESN), the Awards shine a spotlight on successful new approaches and the extraordinary ongoing work of public social services managers, funders, planners, providers, and deliverers of social services, as well as providing opportunities for exchange and mutual learning to improve social work policies and practice.
See you in Madrid for the 2025 European Social Services Awards!
We are thrilled to announce that the City of Madrid will host the 2025 European Social Services Awards (ESSA) this November! This exciting event will bring together the most impactful initiatives in the social services sector, celebrating the innovation and excellence that drive positive change across Europe.
ESSA offers a unique platform for professionals to connect, share best practices, and engage in meaningful discussions, all while shaping the future of social work. Join us for this exciting event and be part of a transformative experience!
The Impact of ESSA: Key Stats
The 2024 European Social Services Awards received 103 applications, with 45 projects selected. The event also attracted 160 delegates from 20 countries, including EU officials and industry leaders.
Digital engagement was strong, with over 20,000 website visits and 35,000 online votes. As a result, ESSA continues to be a powerful platform for recognising excellence and fostering collaboration in social services.
Meet the winners of the 2024 European Social Services Awards
The winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony on 4 November 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Service Delivery
REACH_U 2.0
CRESCER, Portugal
Workforce Support
Supporting Family Caregivers: Taking Care of Those Who Care
ATS Bergamo – Health Protection Agency, Department of Planning for the Integration of Health and Social Services, Italy
Collaborative Practice
Deinstitutionalisation and Reform of the Care System for Young Children
Hope and Homes for Children, Bulgaria
Research & Evaluation
Evaluation of Community-Led Support
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Digital Transformation
Ensuring Web Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
The Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision, Azerbaijan
Excellence in Communities
BIO-CARES: Community-Delivered, Person-Centred Care in Rural Areas
Confederation of Rural Development Centres (COCEDER), Spain
