Co-creation plays a vital role in crafting socially inclusive communities, ensuring that we actively engage with the most vulnerable individuals in our society. By embracing co-creation, communities can actively involve diverse stakeholders in the design, delivery, and evaluation of social programmes and support systems.
This collaborative approach ensures that social services are responsive to the unique needs, preferences, and challenges faced by marginalised groups within the community and is exactly why on 26-28th June the European Social Services Conference (ESSC) 2024, entitled ‘Co-creating Future Social Services,’ will showcase work in this area.
This year's Nordic Day on 25 June, will focus on the co-creation of social services within Age-friendly Cities and Communities. The Nordic Day is a free side event organised by the Nordic Welfare Centre with the the ESSC. The event will highlight projects and strategies that foster the inclusion of older persons from vulnerable backgrounds in the community.
Louise Scheel Thomasen, Senior Adviser of the Nordic Welfare Centre outlined what delegates could expect from attending this event: “The co-creation of social services is an essential part of creating equal access to health and welfare services for all – including vulnerable populations, who may challenge our usual ways of including and co-creating. The members in the Nordic network for age-friendly cities and communities strive to create age-friendly cities for all. The Nordic Day 2024 will present good examples from some of these cities of how to co-create with and include specific vulnerable populations among older adults. ”
Delegates attending the ESSC will also have the opportunity to take part in other side events occurring around the main conference programme. This includes another free side event organised by the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) who will focus their event on the second thematic strand of the conference: the social services workforce. Otherwise, site visits to local social projects in the City of Antwerp, like the House of the Child, a place where integrated services for parents and children are provided, such as childcare, healthcare, leisure activities, parenting support and workshops, will also be organised for delegates.
Registration for the 32nd ESSC is open with over 200 delegates from 21 countries already signed up. More than 50 projects showcasing innovative initiatives to shape discussions on co-creating future social services have been selected to be included in the programme. Registration for side events and social project site visits will open with the launch of the technical programme at the beginning of March.
In the meantime, you can check out the international keynote speakers confirmed to contribute to the conference plenary programme. The theme of co-creating community development will also be the focus of the first plenary session, where delegates will learn about the strategic model, ‘Asset-Based Community Development’ (ABCD) to secure enduring impact in the community. A number of well tested approaches from across the globe aimed at rebuilding communities, particularly in the context of welcoming and resettling inflows of people, will also feature. So too will ways to implement innovations in co-production of community-based services across Europe.
On the panel are Cormac Russell, founding director of Nurture Development, Angela Blanchard, Expert Practitioner in Community Development and Long-term Resettlement across the globe, and Christian Bason, founder of Transition Collective. For a taste of what’s to come, check out Cormac’s new podcast, the Connected Community, which highlights the power of neighbourhoods and community spaces.
Keep an eye out for further programme developments on the ESSC Website and join us in Antwerp to join the discussion on co-creating inclusive communities!
