More than 160 delegates from 20 countries gathered in Lisbon, Portugal on 4 November to celebrate the highly anticipated 6th edition of the European Social Services Awards (ESSA). This year’s theme Promoting Inclusive Communities highlighted innovative efforts to create inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities. With 103 applications from 32 countries and over 35,000 online votes, the awards recognised transformative practices that prioritise community-centred approaches.
In a world increasingly divided, the theme of Inclusive Communities resonates more than ever. Reflecting on the importance of this year’s theme, Jane Dudman, freelance journalist and co-host of the event noted, “Inclusive communities are about bringing people together and ensuring everyone has a place. These projects show how meaningful change can happen through inclusion.”
Alfonso Lara-Montero, CEO of the European Social Network (ESN), further emphasized the importance of participation. “We wanted to highlight approaches that prioritise everyone’s inclusion and foster collaboration across services and professionals to ensure effective participation,” he said. “Inclusive communities aren’t just built, they’re cultivated through ongoing engagement, empowerment, and support.”
Meet the 2024 ESSA winners
The 2024 ESSA’s showcased six exceptional projects that have empowered vulnerable populations to co-design and deliver the services they need. Out of 45 inspiring finalists from 19 countries, six winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions:
- Service Delivery: REACH_U 2.0 by CRESCER (Portugal) – Enhancing community-based services for vulnerable populations.
- Workforce Support: Supporting Family Caregivers: Taking Care of Those Who Care by ATS Bergamo – Health Protection Agency (Italy) – Recognizing the vital role of caregivers.
- Collaborative Practice: Deinstitutionalisation and Reform of the Care System for Young Children by Hope and Homes for Children (Bulgaria) – Promoting family-based care solutions.
- Research & Evaluation: Evaluation of Community-Led Support by the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) – Providing evidence-based insights for strengthening local services.
- Digital Transformation: Ensuring Web Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities by the Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision (Azerbaijan) – Advancing digital inclusivity.
- Excellence in Communities: BIO-CARES: Community-Delivered, Person-Centred Care in Rural Areas by the Confederation of Rural Development Centres (COCEDER) (Spain) – Promoting tailored care solutions in rural settings.
Read more detailed summaries about the winners and all shortlisted entries on the ESSA website. To connect with any project, contact us at essa@esn-eu.org.
Building inclusive communities through collaboration and care
For many winners, the ESSA recognition highlighted the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in social services. Hope and Homes for Children from Bulgaria, the winner of the Collaborative Practice category, shared: “This recognition underscores the success of our model in fostering effective interaction and cooperation among partner agencies to support children and families at risk. It’s an honour to share this approach with others across Europe.”
Looking Ahead to ESSA 2025 in Madrid
As the 2024 awards year ends, the focus shifts to ESSA 2025, which will be held in Madrid, Spain. Christian Fillet, Chair of ESN, reflected on the significance of this year’s winners: “The recognition given to these projects is a testament to the vital work being done across Europe. We look forward to celebrating even more outstanding initiatives in Madrid next year.”
ESSA 2025 promises to continue inspiring stories of impact, collaboration, and innovation. Keep an eye on the ESSA website for when we announce the next call for contributions early in 2025. We look forward to seeing you in Madrid!
