Research for Social Services Award
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Recognising a public authority, research institution, or collaborative partnership between research institutions and public administrations that has significantly contributed to advancing knowledge, policy, and practice in social services through research and evidence-based work. This award highlights initiatives where data-driven insights, academic research, or applied studies have led to meaningful improvements in service delivery, social policy, and outcomes for vulnerable populations. Special consideration is given to projects that foster cross-sector collaboration between public authorities and research institutions, ensuring that findings translate into real-world impact and sustainable policy change.
Examples of key areas of research in social services:
- Evidence-Based Policy Development – Conducting research that informs social care policies, workforce strategies, and funding models, ensuring that decisions are rooted in robust data and best practices.
- Innovations in Social Service Delivery – Using research to test, evaluate, and scale new models of social services and social care and support.
- Data-Driven Insights for Social Inclusion – Leveraging quantitative and qualitative research to improve access to services for vulnerable populations.
- Impact Assessment and Service Evaluation – Developing frameworks to measure the effectiveness and sustainability of social services programmes.
- Cross-Border and Comparative Research – European and international collaboration projects that compare policies and practices across European regions, fostering shared learning.
Special consideration is given to initiatives that:
- Conducted research informing social care policies, workforce strategies, and funding models
- Promoted Social Services Innovation Research using research to test, evaluate, and scale new models of social services and social care and support.
- Leveraged quantitative and qualitative research to improve access to services for vulnerable populations.
- Assessed impact and evaluated services – Developing frameworks to measure the effectiveness and sustainability of social services programmes.
- Promoted cross-border and comparative research – European fostering and scalable proposals across Europe
Research for Social Services Award 2025 Nominees
Title: “Vivir en Casa: Living at Home Project”
Organisation: Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
More information here: https://vivirencasa.org
Title: “Disconnected: The Catalan Digital Divide Index”
Organisation: Taula d'entitats del Tercer Sector Social, Spain.
More information here: Desconnectades? | Taula d'entitats del Tercer Sector Social de Catalunya
Title: “Evidence-Based Tools on EU Funding of Social Services”
Organisation: University of West Attica - Social Administration Research Laboratory, Greece.
More information here: Social Administration Research Lab - SARL | University of West Attica
Title: “NUSO – National Follow-up of the Social Services Transition”
Organisation: The Swedish Association of Social Services Directors (FSS), The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and Karlstad University (KAU), Sweden
More information here: Nuso | Project Page
Title: “REFUGIN: Holistic Community Approach to Long-Term Itegration of Young Refugees”
Organisation: Margarida Damas, Portugal.
More information here: Home - Refugin Project
Title: “Measuring What Matters: Comprehensive Evaluation of the Family Assistance Service”
Organisation: Riga City Council Welfare Department, Latvia.
More information here: RD LD | Sākumlapa
Title: “Enhancing Responsiveness to Citizen Voices in Social Services across Europe”
Organisation: Centrul de Formare si Evaluare in Asistenta Sociala (CFCECAS), Romania.
More information here: https://cfcecas.ro/
Title: “Gathering and Respecting the Views of People using Social Service”
Organisation: French National Authority for Health, France
More information here: Haute Autorité de Santé - About HAS
Registrations to attend the 2025 ESSA Ceremony are now open, and voting will begin in October.
