European Social Services Conference 2026
Europe's Largest Policy & Practice Forum
17-20 May 2026 – La Valletta, Malta
The 34th edition of the European Social Services Conference (ESSC) will be organised in Valletta, Malta on 17-20 May 2026. The ESSC is the annual flagship event of the European Social Network (ESN), the leading network for public social services in Europe. The European Social Services Conference is the largest public social welfare policy and practice forum in Europe, and last year’s edition brought together almost 700 delegates.
ESSC 2026 will be an opportunity for decision-makers in public authorities, third sector organisations, social services professionals, providers of technology solutions, and researchers to share and exchange their knowledge and experiences with peers from across Europe and other regions of the world.
At the 34th edition of the European Social Services Conference, we will explore how social services can cross borders and bridge boundaries to respond to shared challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. The Conference will provide a platform to exchange global perspectives on how diverse systems innovate, collaborate, and learn from one another to strengthen social inclusion, resilience, and solidarity. By highlighting experiences from across regions and sectors, we will discuss how to overcome barriers, build bridges between communities and institutions, and co-create solutions that better serve people in need.
CONFERENCE THEME
Bridging Boundaries
International Perspectives on Social Services
The 34th ESSC is inviting contributions for presentations which examine how Europe and other parts of the world design, finance, and deliver systems of public social services that contribute to the resilience of our societies in a time of constant crises.
Under the theme Bridging Boundaries, this year’s conference seeks to explore and compare how key social services, such as child protection and family support, long-term care for people with disabilities and older adults, and social inclusion programmes, are designed, financed, and delivered across Europe.
With a strong focus on policy and operational practice, the event offers a unique opportunity to:
- Gain strategic insights into the organisation and delivery of social services in the host and other European countries;
- Benchmark national systems and international approaches against each other;
- Engage in dialogue that supports the development and alignment of effective, sustainable social services across Europe;
- Contribute to evidence-informed policy processes at both national and international levels.
Designed for decision-makers shaping the future of social services, this conference is a forum for critical reflection, peer exchange, and advancing practice and policy coherence across borders.