CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS NOW CLOSED

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.

Topics of Interest

For this year’s Conference, we were particularly interested in proposals on the following topics:

1. Comparative models of child protection and family support: Child social welfare and family support programmes focused on prevention and early intervention, family-focused processes and multi-agency cooperation with an emphasis on family and community care models.

2. Innovative long-term services and support for people with disabilities and older adults: Models of integrated person-centred, combined community-based care, housing and support schemes, local integrated care ecosystems, as well as technology solutions that support autonomy, dignity, and quality of life for people in need of long-term care.

3. Social inclusion programmes specifically designed for people in poverty and homelessness: Coordinated service delivery models and innovations that remove systemic barriers and create meaningful opportunities for vulnerable populations to actively participate in their communities, including through housing, employment, and community inclusion.

4. Digital transformation and interoperable service delivery models: Digital solutions, platforms, and case management systems that promote accessibility and coordination between professionals, as well as with service users across various services settings.

5. Social services models in cities and urban areas: Programmes from cities social services departments leading the way in the design and delivery of innovative services to deal with high levels of population density, diversity, and socio-spatial inequalities via decentralised and integrated care and support models.

6. National and cross-national research or evaluations on social service system outcomes: Findings from national and international comparative evaluations or studies that inform decision-making, improve accountability, and support the harmonisation of social services quality standards.

Format of Sessions 

Who applied? 

The 2026 ESSC will bring together leaders in social services to inspire ideas on the design and delivery of resilient social services systems. 

Proposals are accepted for all population groups with whom social services work:
•    Social Services leaders, professionals, practitioners, managers, and directors; 
•    Public authorities (local, regional, national);
•    Researchers and academics;
•    Organisations from civil society;
•    Service user-led projects and service user representatives;
•    International institutions and funding bodies;