We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated shortlist for the 2024 European Social Services Awards! Out of over 100 impressive applications, 45 exceptional organisations from 19 countries have been chosen as finalists by our esteemed Judging Panel. These trailblazers are competing across six dynamic categories: Service Delivery, Collaborative Practice, Workforce Support, Research & Evaluation, Digital Transformation, and Excellence in Communities.

Under this year’s theme, ‘Promoting Inclusive Communities,’ the Awards will shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals reimagining social services to address the unique social, economic, and cultural needs of diverse communities. Our finalists are shaping the future of social services with their innovative approaches.

Mark your calendars for 4 November 2024, when the winners will be unveiled at our exciting Awards Ceremony in Lisbon. But that’s not all - on 5 November, attendees are also invited to a Networking Event to dive deeper into the shortlisted projects and explore fresh insights on fostering inclusive communities.

Now in its sixth year, the European Social Services Awards continues to celebrate groundbreaking achievements and inspire those leading the way in creating stronger, more inclusive societies. Don’t miss out - register now to be part of this inspiring event and discover the transformative projects driving social change across the globe!

Learn about the Categories

Service Delivery

Congratulations to the eight exceptional organisations shortlisted for our Service Delivery category, which celebrates social services initiatives that champion inclusion and empower vulnerable individuals. These programmes go above and beyond to ensure that people in challenging situations receive tailored support. The organisations shortlisted are: 

• Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, Hungary
• Vilnius City Municipality, Lithuania
• Department of Social Rights, Directorate General of Citizens and Community Action, Catalonia, Spain
• CONCORDIA Humanitarian Organisation, Romania
• Cope Foundation, Ireland
• CRESCER, Portugal
• Professional Association of Social Assistance – ASSOC, Romania
• National Development Team for Inclusion, United Kingdom

These innovative projects are reshaping social services and inspiring communities across Europe. Learn more about their work here!

Workforce Support

Empowering our local workforce is the heartbeat of effective social services. This Award celebrates the inspiring social services organisations that have made a remarkable impact on their teams and invigorated community networks. Well done to the eight outstanding organisations shortlisted: 

• Child and Family Agency – TUSLA, Ireland
• Regional Government of Central Denmark, Denmark
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council – SCC, United Kingdom
• Centre of Competences of Active Ageing, Portugal
• Social Care Standards Authority – SCSA, Malta
• Health Information and Quality Authority – HIQA, Ireland
• ATS Bergamo - Health Protection Agency, Italy
• University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Learn more here about their inspiring efforts to champion positive change. 

Collaborative Practice 

At the core of building vibrant and sustainable inclusive communities is the power of collaboration. This Award celebrates the incredible co-creation and teamwork between public and private organisations, service providers, and the individuals they support. We are delighted to recognise the following eight amazing organisations shortlisted in this category: 

• Hope and Homes for Children, Bulgaria
• Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Greece
• Regional Government of Castilla y Leon - Department for Social Services, Spain
• Coordination Committee for Social Participation of the City of Dortmund, Social Welfare Office of Dortmund, Germany
• General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection – 6th District, Bucharest, Romania
• Regional Ministry of Social Services and Welfare, Spain
• Lisbon City Council, Portugal
•  SOS Children’s Villages International, Austria

Discover more about how these remarkable organisations are promoting inclusive communities and driving impactful social change here!

Research and Evaluation 

Unlocking the potential for inclusive, community-led solutions to social challenges begins with truly understanding their roots. To inspire decision-makers to adopt a bottom-up approach, researchers must provide compelling evidence and data. This Award celebrates the groundbreaking research that fuels the development of evidence-based, inclusive services and programmes in our neighbourhoods. The shortlisted organisations are: 

• University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
• University of Lleida, Spain
• Korczak University - Academy of Applied Sciences, Poland
• IPS Innovative Prison Systems, Portugal
• Center Naprej Maribor, Centre for Persons with Acquired Brain Injury, Slovenia
• National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoption, Romania
• Saint John of God Valencia, Spain

Find out more about their inspiring work here!

Digital Transformation

Unleashing the power of technology and cutting-edge digital tools is vital for creating vibrant, inclusive communities. This Award celebrates the remarkable advancements that not only enhance inclusion but also ensure that digital tools and services are accessible to everyone. Congratulations to the shortlisted organisations: 

• Taula d’entitats del Tercer Sector de Catalunya, Spain
• The Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision, Republic of Azerbaijan
• SAMU Foundation, Spain
• Andalusian Agency for Social Service and Dependency, Spain
• The Social Work Way, United Kingdom
• Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Ukraine

Learn more about those who are leading the charge for a more inclusive, tech-savvy community here!

Excellence in Communities

Every neighbourhood has its own unique needs and preferences. By adopting a holistic, integrated approach to social services, we can create frameworks that truly respond to these diverse demands. This headline Award celebrates organisations that excel in crafting inclusive, resilient communities where all residents’ rights, choices, and independence are honoured. These shortlisted organisations have showcased innovative frameworks that support and uplift neighbourhoods.

• Tempo Time Credits, United Kingdom
• Confederation of Rural Development Centres – COCEDER, Spain
• Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., United States
• Santa casa da Misericordia de Lisboa, Portugal
• Autism Voice, Romania
• Agenzija Sapport, Malta
• Rathfriland and District Regeneration Company, United Kingdom
• City of Aarhus, Denmark

Learn more about the extraordinary projects these organisations are leading here!

Next Steps 

On 1 October online voting will open on our website, giving you the opportunity to vote for your favourite project - your voice matters in recognising the outstanding contributions in promoting inclusive communities. The final winner will be decided by a combination of the judges scores and public votes. 

Register now to be part of the action at the 2024 European Social Services Awards Ceremony on 4 November in Lisbon to witness the unveiling of the winners who are transforming social services across Europe.  

Don’t miss out - join us in celebrating the success of the shortlisted projects!