As directors and senior leaders in public social services, we know that the system is only as good as the values that underpin it and today, those values are under attack.
In the US, political forces are pushing a narrative that discredits public help and weakens faith in public authorities. In Europe, geopolitical tensions and war rhetoric are recasting political priorities, with those of social care and inclusion pushed aside. In both settings, social services are imperilled not just by budget pressures but by a more fundamental collapse of their social missions.
This is not a moment for siloed response. Now it is the time for strategic solidarity.
The European Social Network (ESN) and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) are the leading networks for public social services in America and Europe. As guardians of national, regional and local based systems of care and support, we are collectively responsible for ensuring our work is strengthened by innovating and learning from each other’s experiences and strengths.
The partnership between APHSA and ESN is not a symbolic act; it is a strategic one. Through common ideas, cross-border learning exchanges and joint responses to common challenges – from migration and mental health to workforce development and digitalisation – we can strengthen the integrity and sustainability of social services in both regions.
Our voices are also stronger when we stand together—especially in defence of equity, inclusion and public accountability at a moment when those values are under attack. We should discuss the possibility of common metrics, shared policy narratives, and shared platforms to amplify what works and call out what threatens our field.
First line workers and managers are better off when we immerse them in different systems and model processes. Structured exchange programmes, leadership forums and comparative research can help give us the insight to innovate, adapt and contribute to better results for the communities we serve.
As experienced practitioners, we acknowledge that the decisions we make now will define service delivery models, but also the role of public authorities within society. APHSA and ESN must lead the way by walking the talk—embedding transatlantic collaboration as a permanent aspect of our strategic priorities.
Recently ESN was a key voice in the room at APHSA’s National Human Services Summit held in Philadelphia. ESN CEO Alfonso Lara Montero, ESN’s Chair Christian Fillet and directors from Barcelona’s Social Services Institute Javier Martinez and Marta Faba joined U.S. counterparts for discussions on the principle of relational welfare—a person-centred approach that values social relationships, factors of belonging, and social trust—, and joint responses to the increasing challenges facing public social services.
Meanwhile, APHSA Chair Grace Hou and two U.S. social services directors made their way across the pond to participate at our recent 2025 European Social Services Conference. There, they brought important insights on the responses to cuts on essential food and health programmes as well as examples of how they are promoting innovative approaches in person-centred design and working with communities with a relational focus.
This is not just window-dressing — it is a template for the sort of inter-border collaboration our sector so desperately requires. In both places, we are experiencing similar pressures: increasing demand, limited resources, growing polarisation and workforce gaps. But we are also innovating, e.g. in digital tools, early intervention models, care integration, and community empowerment. By borrowing insights from one another and working together, we can create stronger, more resilient systems that can endure political upheaval and help societies heal and thrive.
The message for social services leaders is clear: We need to integrate international collaboration into our leadership agendas. That means more joint research, shared policy frameworks, staff exchanges and aligned advocacy. It is about validating public social services, not just in a country or region but globally around our values, mission and vision. Let us go forward hand in hand.
