Strengthening Communities and Social Inclusion Award
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This award recognises a public authority or social services provider that has made a significant and lasting impact in strengthening communities and promoting social inclusion, particularly for the most vulnerable groups such as homeless people, refugees, migrants, and those experiencing extreme poverty or social exclusion.
Examples of key areas of strengthening communities and social inclusion:
- Empowering Vulnerable Groups – Supporting homeless people, migrants and refugees through integrated services that improve access to housing, employment, healthcare, and education.
- Housing, Employment, and Skills Development – Providing training, job placement, and stable housing to enhance economic and social participation.
- Cross-Cultural Initiatives – Promoting programmes that bring together different ethnic groups and social backgrounds to foster mutual understanding and social cohesion.
- Improving Community Cohesion – Implementing community hubs and volunteer-driven initiatives.
- Strengthening Community Approaches – Supporting sustainable community development projects that empower local organisations, people using services, individuals and neighbourhoods to strengthen their communities and social networks.
- Aiding Informal Care Givers – Supporting family and voluntary community carers through trainings, resources and online or offline support groups.
Special consideration is given to initiatives that:
- Provide sustainable solutions for social inclusion, such as housing-first and housing-led models, trauma-informed support, and integrated support services for vulnerable populations.
- Address systemic barriers that prevent access to essential services, ensuring that no one is left behind.
- Engage local communities, fostering solidarity, participation, and peer support networks to strengthen social cohesion.
- Promote dignity and self-reliance, helping individuals regain stability, independence, and a sense of belonging.
- Are scalable and transferable, offering a model that can inspire other European regions to adopt inclusive practices.
Strengthening Communities and Social Inclusion Award 2025 Nominees
Title: “4Empowerent Donegal: An Interagency Initiative Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors”
Organisation: Donegal Domestic Violence Services, Ireland.
More information here: 4 Empowerment Donegal | Donegal Domestic Violence Services
Title: “Bucharest`s 6th District Local Food Bank”
Organisation: Bucharest 6th District City Council - General Directorate for Social Care and Child Protection, Romania.
More information here: Local Food Bank 6th District, Bucharest, Romania
Title: “Social Work Accompanies Vital Processes”
Organisation: General Council of Social Work, Spain.
More information here: El GEIES del Consejo General del Trabajo Social se desplaza a Valencia por la situación de la Dana. - Portal del Consejo General del Trabajo Social
Title: “Urban Transformation Project of Kazim Karabekir Neighborhood for Social Cohesion”
Organisation: Melikgazi Municipality, Turkey.
More information here: Kazım Karabekir Urban Transformation by Ikon Proje - Architizer
Title: “The Day Center for People with Mental Health Difficulties Štacjon”
Organisation: Association of Centres for Social Work, Slovenia.
More information here: DNEVNI CENTER ZA OSEBE S TEŽAVAMI V DUŠEVNEM ZDRAVJU ŠTACJON
Title: “The City and the Long Run”
Organisation: vzw Wieder, Belgium.
More information here: vzw Wieder
Title: “Cultural competency framework for Health and Social Care”
Organisation: Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), Ireland.
More information here: Launch of Cultural Competency Framework | Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Title: “Local Community Outreach Hubs to Promote Access to Teaching”
Organisation: Dublin City University Educational Disadvantage Centre, Ireland.
More information here: Community Lifelong Learning HUBS
Registrations to attend the 2025 ESSA Ceremony are now open, and voting will begin in October.
