Building partnerships for people and communities

Translate this page with Google Translate

Listen to the article » Play Pause Resume Stop

22nd European Social Services Conference

Working in partnership emerged as a key issue for social investment during the discussions, plenary sessions and workshops at the 22nd European Social Services Conference.

Knowledge exchange and cooperation across sectors are needed to develop effective and efficient policies that invest in people throughout the life-course. Speakers and delegates discussed the role of cooperation across the public sector and with civil society organisations, social entrepreneurs and other private actors.

Working across sectors

The development of new ways of delivering services that address the economic and social situation in Europe is complex and requires different actors. Public authorities play a key role because they know first-hand about local needs and assets and act as coordinators and network builders with a view to create systemic change. For social services this means a planning process involving other departments, such as transport, urban design, health, education, as well as working with community organisations and the private sector. Moreover, service users and citizens need to be at the centre of cooperation, which should start from what people want, need and what they value. Lucina Cravaggi from La Sapienza University in Rome described the outcomes of a cooperation project between architects and health and social care professionals (download presentation): “We have developed facilities for elderly care and childcare that focus on increasing the social participation and autonomy of individuals. They are built within the community and give families, service users and citizens the opportunity to interact and help each other.”

Connecting with private partners

Furthermore, the cooperation with private and non-profit providers aims to create a more coordinated and stable service delivery system. For efficient service delivery, new tools can be developed, such as common client databases, joint investment strategies and formal networks that offer service users an easier access to services. Technology can be used in the public sector to create trust among service users and empower them.

“There is not only a discussion about a new social model, the economic model is changing as well”, said Karl Richter, CEO of Engaged Investment in the UK, during his presentation on social impact investment (download presentation). Social impact investment, driven by social enterprises and social businesses, combines the values of the social sector with commercial interests, and this creates both social impact and sustainable financial return.

However, Karl Richter and workshop presenters also spoke about challenges for successful public-private cooperation or cooperation within the public sector. Often work philosophies, language and behaviours vary in different sectors, which can make cooperation more difficult. In addition, some partnerships depend on long-term political commitment and funding. Local authorities are key to establishing an infrastructure that promotes a discourse about the right kind of cooperation with different stakeholders, based on local issues and needs. The European Social Network (ESN) has recently explored this topic, based on discussions within a working group, in a recent paper ‘Working with education, health and employment: recognising a shared agenda’.