Public-Private Partnership in Social Services Award
Recognising a transformative partnership between public authorities and private sector organisations that has led to tangible improvements in social services. This award highlights initiatives where co-investment, innovative service models, or shared expertise have enhanced service accessibility, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Special consideration is given to partnerships that prioritise social value, ethical governance, and long-term community benefits while maintaining public accountability and high-quality service standards.
Examples of key areas of public-private partnerships in social services:
- Innovative Service Models – Developing and scaling new, person-centred approaches to social care through public-private co-design and investment.
- Technology and Digital Transformation – Leveraging private sector expertise in digital innovation, AI, and welfare technology to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and personalization of social services.
- Sustainable Financing and Social Investment – Implementing impact-driven funding models, such as social impact bonds, outcome-based financing, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to enhance service sustainability.
- Affordable Housing and Community Development – Collaboration between public authorities with housing providers and private developers to create sustainable housing solutions for vulnerable populations, such as homeless people or low-income families.
- Employment and Skills Development – Strengthening public-private partnerships in workforce training, social enterprise initiatives, and inclusive hiring programmes that support disadvantaged groups.
Special consideration is given to initiatives that:
- Promote Innovative Service Models – Developing and scaling new, person-centred approaches to social care through public-private partnership, co-design.
- Technology and Digital Transformation – Leveraging private sector expertise in digital innovation, AI, and welfare technology to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and personalisation of social services.
- Sustainable Financing and Social Investment – Implementing impact-driven funding models, such as social impact bonds, outcome-based financing, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to enhance service sustainability.
- Show measurable improvements thanks to public-private partnerships, in areas like social inclusion and support for vulnerable populations, housing, employment, digital inclusion and others.
- Are scalable and transferable, providing a model that can inspire replication across Europe.
Public-Private Partnership in Social Services Award 2025 Nominees
Title: “La Botiga: More than just Food”
Organisation: ABD Group in partnership with El Prat de Llobregat City Council, Spain
More information here: http://abd.ong/en/
Title: “Bunshin Robot Cafe in Aarhus”
Organisation: Orylab in partnership with Aarhus City Council - Department of Social Services, Denmark
More information here: http://orylab.com/en/
Title: “Integrated Complex Information System of the Pension Fund (ICIS PF)”
Organisation: Medirent in partnership with the Pension Fund of Ukraine, Ukraine
More information here: https://mvs.gov.ua/en/for_citizens/korisni-posilannya/pensiinii-fond-ukrayini
Title: “Empowering Social Workers with AI at Dumfries and Galloway Council”
Organisation: Magic Notes in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, UK
More information here: https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/
Title: “Integrated Pathways for Inclusion of People with Mental Illness”
Organisation: Gureak in partnership with the Gipuzkoa Mental Health Network, Spain
More information here: http://www.gureak.com/en
Title: “VORK - Hospitality Training Center”
Organisation: Public Centre for Social Welfare (PCSW) Kortrijk, Belgium
More information here: https://www.kortrijk.be/vork
Registrations to attend the 2025 ESSA Ceremony are now open, and voting will begin in October.
