Public Voting for the 2025 European Social Services Awards!

Welcome to the Public Voting Page of the 2025 European Social Services Awards (ESSA) . On this page you are invited to select your favourite shortlisted applicant in each of the ten categories. Note that you are not obliged to submit a vote in every category.

We encourage you to take some time to read about the outstanding projects and individuals that have been shortlisted before casting your vote. Only one vote is permitted per person - any additional vote(s) received from the same person will be removed. The deadline to vote is 24 October 2025.

The annual ESSA acknowledges outstanding achievements in social services. Organised by the European Social Network, the Awards shine a spotlight on successful new approaches and the extraordinary ongoing work of public social services.

Delivering future-proofed social services is key to breaking cycles of disadvantage. The 2025 Awards will recognise the organisations and people that are rethinking their services to Create Lasting Change in Social Services and provide impactful, long-term solutions for the people and communities they support.

Public voting will account for 15% of the final score attributed to each applicant and the will be combined with the score from our expert Judging Panel in advance of the Awards Ceremony, taking place in Madrid on 13–14 November 2025, where the results will be announced.

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* 1. Ageing and Long-Term Care Excellence Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Vision Screening for Older People: Supporting Healthy Ageing

Balçova Municipality Youth Center

Breaking the Mobility Barrier in Healthcare

Casanova Building: Solidarity Housing with Bolzano Social Services

Connected Supports for Personal Autonomy (ACAP)

Once upon a Time there was Opera

A Sustainable Model for Active Ageing: The Mother City Approach

Connecting Generations through Fairy Tales

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* 2. Social Services Delivery Innovation Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Raising Quality in Malta's Social Services through Licensing Innovation

Assistive Robotics in Care Homes: Enhancing the Quality of Care

Lokaal Signaal: A Digital Tool & Process

Elevating Standards: A Journey through Care in Practice

Working Together; Everyone Benefits

Supporting Social Services Responding to Violence, Harassment & Aggression (VHA)

Customer Experience Effortless Project

DOST: A Citizen-Centered, Digitally-Driven Social Innovation

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* 3. Digital Transformation and Technology in Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

wSocial: Driving Catalonia’s Digital Transformation of Social Care

SenjoroGO

Bağ-Kart: A Digital Model for Efficient and Inclusive Social Assistance

CENPOS

Tackling Language Barriers in Health and Social Care

A Solidarity App Connecting Communities through Circular Giving and Tech for Good

DIGISEM: Digital Innovation for Mental Health Support Services

Paloma Project: Using AI to Detect Unwanted Loneliness

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* 4. Disability and Accessibility in Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Active Every Day

Enhancing Cognitive Growth through Sensory and Biofeedback Therapy

Sonia Tanti Independent Living Centre (STILC) – Adaptive Driving Clinic

Development of Community-Based Social Service Infrastructure in Riga

Accessible Participant Observation to Assess Satisfaction in Social Care Centres

Leaping Together

INLAV – Integrated Job Support for Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities

The Public Early Care Service of Castilla y León

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* 5. Leadership in Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Inclusive Leadership in Offenbach – Boris Alexander Berner

Transforming Brussels CPAS for Social Empowerment – David Weytsman

Leading Ukraine’s Digital Social Response in Times of War - Kostiantyn Koshelenko

Transforming Social Services in Azerbaijan – Farid Mammadov

Transforming Disability Services in Malta - Oliver Scicluna

Redefining Social Services in Romania - Florian Sălăjeanu

Transforming Long-Term Care in Malta – Renzo de Gabriele

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* 6. Public Sector Collaboration in Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Food Redistribution in the Care Region of Bruges

V-I-T: Innovative Paths for Participation in Working Life

Project A106: Collaborative Detection of Social Vulnerability in Barcelona

LASTA Screening Model: Ensuring Information Sharing and Multidisciplinary Cooperation

Local Care Ecosystem

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* 7. Public-Private Partnership in Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Bunshin Robot Cafe in Aarhus

Integrated Pathways for Inclusion of People with Mental Illness

Empowering Social Workers with AI at Dumfries and Galloway Council

VORK - Hospitality Training Center

Integrated Complex Information System of the Pension Fund (ICIS PF)

La Botiga: More than just Food

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* 8. Research for Social Services Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Vivir en Casa: Living at Home Project

Evidence-Based Tools on EU Funding of Social Services

Disconnected: The Catalan Digital Divide Index

Measuring What Matters: Comprehensive Evaluation of the Family Assistance Service

Enhancing Responsiveness to Citizen Voices in Social Services across Europe

NUSO – National Follow-up of the Social Services Transition

REFUGIN: Holistic Community Approach to Long-Term Integration of Young Refugees

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* 9. Strengthening Communities and Social Inclusion Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Bucharest's 6th District Local Food Bank

Social Work Accompanies Vital Processes

The Day Center for People with Mental Health Difficulties Štacjon

Urban Transformation Project of Kazim Karabekir Neighborhood for Social Cohesion

Local Community Outreach Hubs to Promote Access to Teaching

The City and the Long Run

4Empowerent Donegal: An Interagency Initiative Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors

Cultural Competency Framework for Health and Social Care

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* 10. Children, Families, and Youth Support Award - Read more about all the shortlisted projects here!

Innovative Prevention Practices in Malta

The Path to Oneself

Boza

The Miriam Project

Applying Safe Behaviours

The Youth Listener Programme

Yeni Hayat Youth Center

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