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Partnering with the European Social Network (ESN) means reaching one of your key audiences—national, regional and local agencies that manage and oversee Europe’s social services —the core members of ESN.  These agencies have a significant impact on how national policy is formulated and enacted.

ESN provides access to over 180 member organisations from national, regional, county and local levels, and the senior leadership of each respective social services organisation in 34 countries. Our associate members include social services professionals associations, higher education, and research organisations who participate in the collective work of our Network.

In short, ESN is the Network of Social Services Leaders in Europe.

Learn more and Partner with Us!

We would like to thank the following organisations for their support

The 2025 ESSC will be hosted by the City of Aarhus and supported by the Regional Government of Central Denmark, as well as the Danish Ministry for Senior Citizens and Ministry for Social Affairs and Housing in the framework of Denmark’s EU Presidency.

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cipal (8)
cipal (3)
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HOST

City of Antwerp
City of Antwerp
City of Antwerp

Private partners

Deloitte
EY
Tietoevry
Microsoft
KPMG
cipal (4)
Edenred
cipal (1)
essc 2024 partners website (3)
essc 2024 partners website (7)
essc 2024 partners website (6)
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Acctua
Cipal Schaubroeck
FSS
SkillLab
Medirent
essc 2024 partners website (9)
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27
SkillLab
Medirent
essc 2024 partners website (9)

HOST

City of Antwerp

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

flemish government department of care
essc 2024 partners website (8)

Private partners

Deloitte
EY
Edenred
Microsoft
Tietoevry
KPMG
cipal (1)
essc 2024 partners website (3)
essc 2024 partners website (7)
essc 2024 partners website (6)
14
Acctua
Cipal Schaubroeck
FSS
SkillLab
Medirent
essc 2024 partners website (9)
26
27
SkillLab
Medirent
essc 2024 partners website (9)
Read the ESSC 2024 report
DISCOVER THE essc 2024 PARTNERS

City of Aarhus

Aarhus is the second-largest city in Denmark with around 370.000 inhabitants. Although an old city, founded in the Viking Age, Aarhus is young at heart – a thriving, driving university city that is home to the youngest population in Denmark. The local population is increasing, new companies, education institutions and cultural hot-spots are shooting up everywhere. Our goal is that Aarhus is a good city for everyone. The City of Aarhus acknowledges that citizens and our surrounding society have developed, and if we are to sustain our public welfare model and be a good city for everyone, we must keep up with this development. To help us navigate this process, The City Council has developed a new framework of understanding for the City of Aarhus. We call it ‘the Aarhus Compass’. The Aarhus Compass describes the kind of municipality and community we want to be – and are on the way to becoming. The City of Aarhus acknowledges that we can only deliver the public welfare services of the future through close collaboration between the public sector, civil society and business and industry. It is evident that the engagement of our citizens, businesses, volunteers and associations must play a decisive role if we are to succeed. The potential to create value for citizens and society is much greater if we work together.  Our aim is ‘Less system. More citizen’. With this aim, the Aarhus Compass has:

  • intensified our focus on what has value for our citizens and our society.
  • increased our emphasis on co-creation in our approach to public welfare development.
  • strengthened how we work, develop, administer and lead in a more knowledge-informed way.

Everyday citizens, volunteers, companies, associations, leaders an employees work together to make Aarhus a good city for everyone.

aarhuskompassetlight-uk.pdf

 

Central Region of Denmark

Central Denmark Region is one of five regions in Denmark. 

Denmark is organised at three political and administrative levels: the national (government), the regional (5 regions) and the municipal level (98 municipalities). 

Each region is led by a Regional Council, consisting of 41 politicians elected every four years. 

The regions’ responsibilities are within the areas of health, psychiatry, social and regional development. The region must secure the overall strategy and at the same time top quality services. This includes being responsible for the nine somatic hospitals and eight psychiatric hospital departments, pre-hospital emergency services, general practitioners, and practicing specialist doctors. The region also operates many different specialised social care institutions in agreement with local municipalities. 

Facts – Central Denmark Region

  • Covers 19 municipalities and an area of 13,000 square kilometres. 
  • Has a population of 1.3 million people – approx. 23% of the population in Denmark.
  • Has a gross budget of 28.9 billion DKK (2019).
  • Has approx. 30.000 employees. 

 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing covers a broad range of policy areas, including socially excluded adults, disadvantaged children and youth, disability policy, family law, civil society, social housing, construction and housing legislation, as well as international relations, data and research within these areas. The Ministry works actively, in line with the overall government programme, to ensure inclusion, dignity and support for the most vulnerable citizens in Danish society. Furthermore, the Ministry cooperates closely with the Regions and Municipalities to provide and offer targeted, universal and high-quality services in line with relevant legislation to secure a balanced, accessible and inclusive society.

Danish Ministry for Senior Citizens

The Ministry of Senior Citizens works to improve the services offered to older people so they can enjoy good and healthy old age and experience dignified care. As part of this work, the Ministry of Senior Citizens has presented a comprehensive reform of the sector for older people and new legislation aimed at establishing a framework for care that, based on the individual senior’s current life situation and needs, supports an old age characterised by as much joy of life, self-reliance, and time for care and presence as possible. Over the next few years, the Ministry of Senior Citizens will implement and evaluate the reform in close collaboration with municipalities, regions, and civil society.

Additionally, the Ministry of Senior Citizens addresses areas such as dementia, supervision, and combating loneliness. The Ministry also works on analyses and data within its area and promotes effective initiatives. The work aims to strengthen the knowledge base and foster more data-driven development. Finally, the Ministry handles the servicing of the minister and parliament.

VisitAarhus

VisitAarhus is the Aarhus Region’s official tourism organisation (DMO – Destination Management Organisation) and represents Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus, along with the surrounding cities and areas of Djursland, Favrskov, Silkeborg, Randers and Viborg. We provide visitors with information, recommendations, and guidance on the city’s attractions, events, and activities. Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, dining options, or accommodation, we help you make the most of your visit to Aarhus.

City of Antwerp

The City of Antwerp is located in the Belgian region of Flanders and has approximately 529,000 inhabitants, making it the largest municipality in Belgium in terms of population. It is the capital of the province and the district of Antwerp. The city’s Social Services unit was created in early 2018 as a result of the integration of services between the city and OCMW Antwerp. It offers a wide range of social services that Antwerp residents may need in the course of their lives.The Social Services unit focuses on important social challenges and aims to prevent and combat poverty, promote the well-being and health of Antwerp residents and stimulate the sense of community.

Deloitte

Deloitte brings innovative yet practical solutions to navigate this vastly complex market to protect and provide better outcomes for communities around the world, through programmes to assist with social welfare, unemployment, or family care, in addition to physical and mental health.

EY

EY helps to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

Tietoevry

Tietoevry creates purposeful technology that reinvents the world for good. We are a leading technology company with a strong Nordic heritage and global capabilities. Based on our core values of openness, trust and diversity, we work with our customers to develop digital futures where businesses, societies, and humanity thrive. Our 24 000 experts globally specialize in cloud, data, and software, serving thousands of enterprise and public-sector customers in more than 90 countries. Tietoevry’s annual turnover is approximately EUR 3 billion and the company’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ exchange in Helsinki and Stockholm, as well as on Oslo Børs.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft supports public health and social service organizations to better serve constituents and communities using innovative technologies to deliver secure and trustworthy services. Helping organizations protect vulnerable populations, enhance social and human services and improve the health of the public.

Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG)

KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories, and in FY22, collectively employed more than 265,000 partners and people, serving the needs of business, governments, public-sector agencies, not-for-profits and through KPMG firms’ audit and assurance practices, the capital markets. KPMG is committed to quality and service excellence in all that we do, bringing our best to clients and earning the public’s trust through our actions and behaviours both professionally and personally.

We lead with a commitment to quality and integrity across the KPMG global organization, bringing a passion for client success and a purpose to serve and improve the communities in which KPMG firms operate. In a world where rapid change and unprecedented disruption are the new normal, we inspire confidence and empower change in all we do.

Dansk Erhverv (Danish Chamber Of Commerce)

Danish Chamber of Commerce: Ambitions for Welfare Technology and the Welfare Society

The Danish welfare system is facing unprecedented challenges. An aging population, combined with a shrinking workforce, demands innovative solutions to sustain and enhance the quality of welfare services. Welfare technology has the potential to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by empowering citizens, alleviating strain on healthcare professionals, and optimizing resources to ensure a high standard of care. At Dansk Erhverv (the Danish Chamber of Commerce), we are committed to realizing this potential.

A Collaborative Approach to Welfare Technology

In 2023, Dansk Erhverv established the Welfare Technology Lab, bringing together key stakeholders—including unions, user organizations, industry representatives, and private companies. This initiative fosters collaboration across the ecosystem of welfare technology, with the aim of driving meaningful innovation. The Lab has culminated in four specific recommendations for the Danish government to accelerate the adoption and scaling of welfare technologies.

These recommendations focus on strengthening the national foundation for implementing tried-and-tested digital solutions. By addressing gaps in policy, infrastructure, and funding, we aim to ensure that innovative technologies reach users more efficiently.

Unlocking the Potential of Welfare Technology

The potential benefits of welfare technology are multi-faceted.

First, it empowers citizens by giving them greater autonomy and improving their quality of life.

For healthcare professionals, these technologies reduce the burden of repetitive or physically demanding tasks, freeing up time for more citizen-centered care.

On a macroeconomic level, welfare technology can enhance Denmark’s global standing as an innovator, creating export opportunities and jobs in a burgeoning international market.

However, unlocking this potential requires more than recognition—it calls for action. Dansk Erhverv is advocating for a robust political and financial commitment to scale up implementation and ensure the technologies are accessible and effective.

From National Success to Global Leadership

Denmark’s well-developed welfare system offers a unique advantage. By using the domestic market as a testing ground, we can refine welfare technologies that have the potential to succeed on the global stage. Much like Danish life sciences, welfare technology can become a major export industry—provided we invest strategically in innovation and implementation.

As demographic changes intensify the pressure on welfare services, welfare technology represents a viable path to sustain quality while managing limited resources. It can provide better care for citizens, reduce staff shortages, and enable more efficient use of funds.

Shaping the Future

Dansk Erhverv (the Danish Chamber of Commerce) believes that welfare technology is not just a tool for addressing current challenges—it is an opportunity to reshape the future of welfare in Denmark and beyond.

Our ambition is to make Denmark the global leader in welfare technology innovation. This will require coordinated efforts between government, businesses, and civil society, but the benefits are clear: stronger welfare, increased prosperity, and a better quality of life for all.

We invite policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a welfare society that not only meets today’s needs but also sets the standard for tomorrow.

Edenred

Edenred designs and delivers innovative solutions to assist public authorities in the implementation of their social policies. Edenred provides public entities with efficient means of distributing social benefits, respecting policy’s objectives and beneficiaries’ needs. These solutions are based on a wide range of technological options, from chip cards to biometrics tools and fully digital programmes.

FutureFit AI

Workforce systems are designed to support people in place, not in transition – in a rapidly changing world of work, jobseekers struggle to find clear pathways to opportunity, employers can’t find the skilled talent they need, and workforce partners are stuck in silos with point solutions. FutureFit AI is a global workforce development technology company on a mission to transform workforce systems so that every community and organization finds its path to prosperity in the future of work. We build AI-powered technology solutions that bridge the gaps between the workforce and industry, connecting people to careers, employers to skilled talent, and workforce partners to scalable tools and ecosystem insights. FutureFit AI has been backed by leading investors including JP Morgan, Techstars, and Acumen, and its work has been recognized by the likes of the World Economic Forum and World Government Summit.

WCC Group

WCC Group is a leading provider of advanced solutions for Public & Private Employment Services and ID/Security government agencies, and Enterprises. Built on its unique search & match platform, WCC software solutions see 1/2 billion people every day, enabling organizations to seamlessly capture, generate, and analyze big data from multiple sources gaining valuable insights paramount to effective decision-making. Our team of professional services experts provides exceptional support and consulting, allowing our customers to maximize their investment.

Hoplr

Hoplr facilitates a digital neighbourhood network (hoplr.com, iOS, Android) for inclusive community care. Our focus lies in social interaction between residents and engagement within the neighbourhood. Recently we launched the Neighbourhood Concierge to match vulnerable citizens more easily with the social support network in the neighbourhood. At the moment, Hoplr is used by +1 million households and +250 local authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Turkey.

Belfius

A partner alongside all public and social players to help them take on their challenges. With 150 years of experience serving communities, they offer you their extensive experience and expertise: not only to help you manage your finances, digitalise your processes and finance and support your projects, but also to support you in achieving greater energy efficiency and greener mobility.

Augintel

At Augintel, they know that in-depth case knowledge is crucial to achieving positive client outcomes. They help caseworkers and clinicians uncover critical case insights buried in unstructured data such as case notes and communications for deeper case understanding, better informed decisions and improved client outcomes.

Acctua

Acctua is an online service that facilitates access to web content and services. It is an innovative solution capable of providing greater accessibility and web usability to all Internet users, regardless of their age or abilities.

Thanks to its intelligent interface that speaks and listens, Acctua is able to adapt to the specific needs and capabilities of each user, allowing different web browsing modalities.

Cipal Schaubroeck

Cipal Schaubroeck creates governments of the future. In doing so, Cipal Schaubroeck focuses on developing a range of services, supported by its own digital applications, in order to accelerate the digital transformation of governments. The focus is on people.
At all times, Cipal Schaubroeck aims to provide solutions that improve the quality of life of citizens and simplify the work of civil servants.

Based on a vision of co-creation, Cipal Schaubroeck, together with various public authorities, realises digital transformation in a sustainable way. Together with more than 600 passionate and competent employees, the Cipal Schaubroeck Group creates governments of the future.

Cipal Schaubroeck’s customer base includes the Flemish Government, provincial authorities, major Flemish cities such as Antwerp, Mechelen, Turnhout, Kortrijk, Sint-Niklaas, and so on, as well as most of the cities and municipalities in Flanders.

Föreningen Sveriges Socialchefer (FSS)

The Swedish Association of Social Services Directors is an independent association based in Stockholm with members from all over Sweden. Its primary focus is development and innovation in the Swedish social services/social welfare sector. Another important part of its work is international, and primarily European cooperation. The Association has approximately 500 members that are leaders in social services and related sectors.

SkillLab

SkillLab builds technology for employment and career services who are committed to giving the people they support a pathway to employment. Built on the premise that every single person in the world deserves access to progressive employment, our ecosystem uses AI and people’s unique skills profile to move them forward in their employment journey.

Medirent

«Medirent» is a group of companies founded in 1995 that specialize in developing information systems for corporate and public sectors; providing software & IT services, business applications and cybersecurity.

Their mission is to create vital information systems that increase efficiency for their customers. They provide a full range of services; from consulting to technical support, in developing complex information security systems.

Probis

Probis is close partner for organisations in the public sector and the healthcare and welfare sector. Everything they do is focused on people and organizational development. They have been making a difference for more than 30 years with substantiated knowledge and experience from practice.

Probis offers  organizations advice & guidance, selections & career development, interim management and training. Their experts design and implement pragmatic solutions tailored to organizations.

VISIION

VISIION is a leading company in knowledge, technology, and innovation, with over 20 years of experience in social and human development. We are dedicated to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable sectors, pioneering the development of innovative solutions that anticipate and address societal needs.

Our focus is on strengthening social protection and public management through digital innovations. We use intelligent platforms, data analysis, IA, and automated systems to optimize service delivery, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every step.

Our Impact:

  • Over 17 million people benefit from the Social Registry of Households in Chile, ensuring a better distribution of resources and benefits.
  • Over 4 million children and adolescents are part of the NNA-OLN Registry of Chile, guaranteeing appropriate and personalized attention to this vulnerable population.
  • More than 180,000 women have been served through the Ciudad Mujer program in Paraguay and Honduras, providing them with access to health, education, and employment services.
  • Our Local Social Management System in Chile has recorded over 6 million interactions, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement and positive impact on the community.

At VISIION, we are committed to social and human development, and we will continue to innovate and collaborate with strategic partners to make a difference in the lives of the most in need.

Health, Care and Well-being Research and Innovation Group at the University of South Wales

Our Health, Care and Wellbeing Research and Innovation Group at the University of South Wales, unites world leading inter-disciplinary research and diverse Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) expertise to tackle health and social inequalities and deliver innovative solutions for improving people’s lives.

Within our group we have programmes of work including three longstanding outward facing units, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care (WIHSC), Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR) and the Unit for Development in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ( UDIDD). These all sit within our four cross cutting themes:

  • Representing the voices of people in the health and social care system

The voices of people should be central to our research, practice and education. Our translational approach means that we are working to ensure that people are heard throughout the research cycle building a research environment rooted in equality, diversity and inclusion ethos that enhances our research.

  • Addressing health and social inequalities

This research theme is focussed on advancing our understanding of the complex factors that contribute to health disparities. Exploring health and social inequalities  pertains to the wellbeing of all our communities. It brings together experts from diverse disciplines to conduct cutting-edge research, promoting collaboration, and engage with communities (including marginalised, minority and migrant population groups) and industry to develop innovative solutions, and to  identify the most effective interventions and policies to address these issues.

  • Supporting the integration of health and social care

Integrated health and social care in its many forms has been a long standing research theme within this faculty. It investigates how communities, organisations and practitioners can work together with people to coproduce seamless care that can be accessed in the right place, at the right time and in the right way.

  • Influencing health and social care policy and practice education

This theme focusses on research and innovation which translates into tangible products that influence health and social care policy, practice and education. Our expert group members have provided evidence to Welsh Government upon which new pathways, new  teams, new technology have and will improve outcomes. Our research is quoted in national policy documents and many of them have international influence. 

Our current portfolio includes a £1m+ partnership led by  WIHSC for a three-year evaluation of the Welsh Government’s Health and Social Care Regional Integration Fund (RIF). The focus is on community-based care, emotional health, family support, childcare, home-based services, and accommodation solutions. The goal is to provide templates for the wider Welsh system and enhance independent living in communities with diverse care needs. Also, a £5.3m National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) with Torfaen Council. The purpose is to create a research-active and evidence-based culture in the council where conducting research and evaluation forms the basis of decision making. At its centre will be our citizens and communities and what matters to them. 

Flemish Government, Department of Care

Everyone should be part of a healthy and caring society. To this end, the Department of Care, within the Flemish government, is developing a policy on health and well-being, with particular attention being paid to the most vulnerable. The Department of Care guarantees there is a sufficient and high-quality provision of care and welfare. We register and fund facilities and individual care providers. We also stimulate their cooperation via networks and smart IT solutions.

Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG)

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) is a membership organisation based in the Belgian city of Brussels. The Association’s core task is to pomote the interests of and provide services to its members. Its members are Belgian local authorities: cities and municipalities, public centres for social welfare, police zones, autonomous local and inter-local companies and partnerships. 

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