Across Europe, social services play a vital role in protecting people, supporting families, and enabling communities to thrive. However, the way these services are designed, financed, and delivered varies widely across countries, shaped by different social models, governance structures, and policy priorities. Exploring these differences is essential for building more resilient, effective, and inclusive systems.
Whether in child protection and family support, long-term care for people with disabilities and older adults, or social inclusion programmes, all countries face shared pressures: demographic change, growing complexity of needs, workforce challenges, and financial constraints. Comparing approaches helps identify what works, what can be adapted, and how innovation can be scaled responsibly.
International exchange also allows professionals to move beyond isolated solutions and see their work in a broader context. It encourages reflection on funding models, service integration, prevention strategies, and user-centred delivery.
The European Social Services Conference (ESSC) provides a platform where these perspectives meet. By bringing together diverse experiences, it supports collective learning that benefits the people and communities that social services are designed to serve.
What the ESSC 2026 programme can offer you
The ESSC 2026 programme has been designed to balance strategic reflection with hands-on learning. It combines high-level plenary discussions, thematic sessions, interactive formats, and networking opportunities that encourage meaningful exchange among participants.
Throughout the Conference, sessions will explore some of the most pressing issues facing social services today. These include strengthening workforce capacity, promoting inclusive and community-based care, leveraging digital innovation, and improving service design and delivery in complex environments. Case studies and real-world examples from across Europe will demonstrate how organisations translate policy into practice and adapt to local contexts.
Beyond formal sessions, the programme emphasises peer learning and collaboration. ESSC is known for creating opportunities for exchange, and conversations that often spark partnerships, pilot projects, and long-term cooperation. The programme's structure also reflects this goal, encouraging participants not only to listen but also actively contribute to shared learning.
Setting the direction for social services
The Plenary Sessions will frame the central debates of ESSC 2026, bringing together international speakers who offer strategic perspectives on the future of social services. These sessions are designed to set the tone for the Conference by examining systemic challenges and emerging opportunities at a European and global level.
Plenary discussions will also explore how social services systems can remain resilient in times of uncertainty, how collaboration across sectors can strengthen outcomes, and how innovation can be embedded sustainably within public services. Speakers will draw on policy experience, research insights, and frontline practice to provide a holistic view of sector transformation.
As always, plenaries at ESSC aim to inspire reflection while grounding conversations in practical realities. They provide a shared reference point for participants, helping to connect individual sessions to broader policy and trends.
Our speakers represent a diverse mix of expertise, and additional voices will be announced in the coming months as the programme continues to evolve.
Join the conversation
The launch of the ESSC 2026 programme marks the start of an exciting journey toward learning, exchange, and collaboration. Professionals working across social services are invited to explore the agenda, plan their participation, and connect with peers and experts who are shaping the future of social services in Europe and beyond.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the largest public social welfare policy and practice forum in Europe. Register now to secure your place at the Conference, gain access to plenaries, workshops, networking opportunities, and contribute to conversations that will influence social services for years to come.
