31st European Social Services Conference
Advancing social services
The role of technology in promoting autonomy & inclusion
Call for Contributions now open!
Apply now to share your experiences of using technology in the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of social services
The European Social Services Conference (ESSC 2023) is the largest public forum for leaders in social services in Europe.
Make your work and experience part of the discussions at our 2023 Conference
to inspire ideas on the role of innovative technology and digital means in the modernisation of social services
About the European Social Services Conference
The 31st edition of the European Social Services Conference (ESSC) will be organised in Malmö (Sweden) on 14-16 June 2023.
The ESSC is the annual flagship event of the European Social Network (ESN), the leading network for public social services in Europe. The ESSC is the largest public social welfare policy and practice forum in Europe, attended by almost 600 delegates in Hamburg in 2022.
The ESSC 2023 will be the forum for providers of technology solutions, researchers, decision-makers in public authorities, third sector organisations and social services professionals to share and exchange their knowledge and experiences with peers from across Europe and other regions of the world.
Pioneering the value of specialist knowledge exchange within the social services sector, next year’s conference will examine key components of the use of innovative technology and digitalisation in promoting autonomy and inclusion in our communities.
Conference Theme
Accelerating the digital and technological transformation of social services by governments, public authorities, and agencies involved in their development and delivery is key to reach people in their homes and communities.
At the 31st European Social Services Conference (ESSC 2023) we will discuss how technological advancements can help to improve the delivery of social services by making access and sharing of information simpler, improving coordination between services, encouraging early intervention, supporting decision making, and promoting people’s autonomy and choice.
The conference will highlight research and practice on innovation in social services through technology; IT developments for social inclusion, accessibility, or autonomy; organisational and workforce improvements, or data management for decision-making.
Who can apply?
We welcome proposals, amongst others, from:
Public authorities
Tell us how you embarked on your IT modernisation journey
Universities and research centres
Share your research projects on technology developments in social services
IT industry leads
Show how you are working in cooperation with public authorities to modernise social services or develop new products and solutions
Third sector organisations
Show you are working through IT to improve the experience of the services you provide to those who you support
Innovators wishing to work or working with social services
Tell us about the new IT and digital solutions you have developed
How to apply?
You can submit a maximum of 2 proposals per organisation for:
- Case study
- Workshop
- Thematic panel discussion
- Presentation at the Project Forum
Before submitting your proposal, please read the Call for Contributions document for the full terms and conditions and to ensure it aligns with the 2023 Conference theme and criteria.
Deadline for applications
22 November 2022 for proposals submitted in French, Spanish, German or Italian.
29 November 2022 for proposals submitted in English.