Public-Private Partnership in Social Services Award

Recognising a transformative partnership between public authorities and private sector organisations that has led to tangible improvements in social services. This award highlights initiatives where co-investment, innovative service models, or shared expertise have enhanced service accessibility, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Special consideration is given to partnerships that prioritise social value, ethical governance, and long-term community benefits while maintaining public accountability and high-quality service standards.

Examples of key areas of public-private partnerships in social services:

• Innovative Service Models – Developing and scaling new, person-centred approaches to social care through public-private co-design and investment.
• Technology and Digital Transformation – Leveraging private sector expertise in digital innovation, AI, and welfare technology to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and personalization of social services.
• Sustainable Financing and Social Investment – Implementing impact-driven funding models, such as social impact bonds, outcome-based financing, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to enhance service sustainability.
• Affordable Housing and Community Development – Collaboration between public authorities with housing providers and private developers to create sustainable housing solutions for vulnerable populations, such as homeless people or low-income families.
• Employment and Skills Development – Strengthening public-private partnerships in workforce training, social enterprise initiatives, and inclusive hiring programmes that support disadvantaged groups.

Special consideration is given to initiatives that:

• Promote Innovative Service Models – Developing and scaling new, person-centred approaches to social care through public-private partnership, co-design.
• Technology and Digital Transformation – Leveraging private sector expertise in digital innovation, AI, and welfare technology to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and personalisation of social services.
• Sustainable Financing and Social Investment – Implementing impact-driven funding models, such as social impact bonds, outcome-based financing, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to enhance service sustainability.
• Show measurable improvements thanks to public-private partnerships, in areas like social inclusion and support for vulnerable populations, housing, employment, digital inclusion and others.  
• Are scalable and transferable, providing a model that can inspire replication across Europe.