Digital Transformation and Technology in Social Services Award
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This award recognises a public authority or social services provider that has successfully implemented digital transformation and technology-driven solutions to enhance social services across Europe. By leveraging innovative digital tools, data analytics, AI or welfare technologies, the winning initiative must demonstrate a significant and measurable impact on service users, professionals, and the broader social care and social services system.
Examples of key areas of digital transformation and technology in social services:
- Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusion – Using assistive technologies, telecare, and digital platforms to ensure that social services are more inclusive for people with disabilities, older adults, and vulnerable communities.
- Improving Service Efficiency and Coordination – Implementing data-driven decision-making, interoperability between agencies, and digital case management systems to reduce administrative burdens and improve responsiveness.
- Empowering Service Users and Professionals – Providing digital tools, mobile applications, and e-learning platforms to enhance self-care for individuals and support professional development for social services professionals.
- Ensuring Ethical and Responsible Digitalisation – Embedding data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI ethics to protect the rights and dignity of service users.
- Predictive Analytics and AI for Prevention – Using big data, machine learning, and predictive analytics to anticipate risks, support early interventions, and enhance crisis management.
Special consideration is given to initiatives that:
- Improve service accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that digital solutions benefit diverse and vulnerable populations.
- Enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness through automation of cross-service cooperation, AI, digital platforms, or data-driven decision-making.
- Empower service users and professionals, enabling greater self-care, independent living, or workforce support through digital innovation.
- Maintain ethical and responsible digital use, prioritising data protection, privacy, and transparent AI integration in social care.
- Are scalable and transferable, offering a model for digital transformation that can inspire adoption across different regions or service sectors.
Digital Transformation and Technology in Social Services Award 2025 Nominees
Title: “Paloma Project: Using AI to Detect Unwanted Loneliness”
Organisation: Madrid City Council - Government Area of Social Policy, Family and Equality, with support of Fundación Telefónica, Spain
Website:/More information here: https://www.madrid.es/portal/site/munimadrid
Title: “Bağ-Kart: A Digital Model for Efficient and Inclusive Social Assistance”
Organisation: Bağcılar Municipality and Istanbul Bakers' Association, Türkiye
Website:/More information here: https://www.bagcilar.bel.tr/
Title: “SenjoroGO”
Organisation: VŠĮ Nacionalinis Socialinės Integracijos Institutas, Italy
Website:/More information here: https://senjoro.lt/
Title: “A Solidarity App Connecting Communities through Circular Giving and Tech for Good”
Organisation: Afrilanthropy, Luxembourg
Website:/More information here: https://ridingtherainbow.com/
Title: “DIGISEM: Digital Innovation for Mental Health Support Services”
Organisation: Rey Ardid Foundation, Spain
Website:/More information here: https://www.reyardid.org/
Title: “wSocial: Driving Catalonia’s Digital Transformation of Social Care Intervention”
Organisation: Regional Government of Catalonia - Department of Social Rights, Spain
Website:/More information here: https://dretssocials.gencat.cat/ca/inici/index.html
Title: “Tackling Language Barriers in Health and Social Care”
Organisation: Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT)
Website:/More information here: https://southerntrust.hscni.net/
Title: “CENPOS”
Organisation: Regional Government of Galicia - Department for Social Inclusion, Spain
Website:/More information here: https://www.xunta.gal/portada https://www.eipa.eu/epsa/cenpos-project/
Registrations to attend the 2025 ESSA Ceremony are now open, and voting will begin in October.
