On 16 November the City Office for Social Protection, Health, War Veterans and People with
Disabilities of the City of Zagreb, together with the European Social Network (ESN) hosted the 2023
European Social Services Awards to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of those
who plan, deliver and manage social services across Europe, and provide inspiration for others in the
field.
The Awards are the only ceremony in Europe applauding their crucial work.
They showcase effective and innovative approaches in the delivery of services,
workforce management and development, integrated and coordinated services,
research and evaluation, and the use of digital and technological tools to provide
person-centred care in social services.
The winners have been selected in a two-step process combining an expert judging panel and an
online public vote which closed on 4 November. 44 projects from 20 different European countries
competed in 5 different award categories on this year’s theme of person-centred care. Their projects
represent a range of different approaches in social services, which put individuals and their unique
needs at the heart of social service delivery, for the empowerment of individuals and their
communities. The final award, Excellence in Cities, highlighted the city which has contributed most
to ensuring their inhabitants choice of care and support is valued and respected.
Alfonso Lara Montero, Chief Executive Officer of the European Social Network said: “The European
Social Network is delighted to host the 2023 European Social Services Awards, together with the City
of Zagreb. Now in their 5 th year, the Awards pay tribute to the organisations and individuals who are
revolutionising their services to place the person at the heart of care and improve the effectiveness
and quality of the services they provide.”
Luka Korlaet, Seputy Mayor, conveyed Mayor`s message: “Zagreb is proud to welcome the
prestigious European Awards for Social Services 2023, a respected platform for fostering
connections between different stakeholders with the aim of jointly increasing the calibre of social
services. Our commitment to this event is rooted in its importance, as it allows us to showcase
Zagreb's successful work in developing and providing quality social services. Together we can create
a path towards a brighter future of social well-being.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rosemary Hindle
Communications Manager
European Social Network
rosemary.hindle@esn-eu.org
Contact details for City Office for Social Protection,
Health, War Veterans and People with Disabilities, City
of Zagreb
zorana.uzelac@zagreb.hr
For more information about the 2023 European Social Services Awards, visit essa-eu.org.
About the European Social Network (ESN):
The European Social Network is the leading network for social services leaders across Europe,
bringing together almost 200 organisations from 34 countries, representing thousands of directors
and senior officials from social and care departments of local, regional and national public
administrations, responsible for planning, funding and delivering social services. ESN also represents
associations of social service directors, universities, research centres and NGOs. esn-eu.org
About the City Office for Social Protection, Health, War Veterans and People with Disabilities, City of Zagreb
The City Administration of the City of Zagreb is proud of its activities for its citizens. In the last
twenty years, through the measures and activities that the City of Zagreb has created for its fellow
citizens in need, it has succeeded in developing the social welfare system intended for citizens at an
enviable level where the City of Zagreb cares for approximately 20,000 people, from elderly people,
victims of violence, people with disabilities, children and young people, people who are less
employable and others.
Winners of the European Social Services Awards 2023
Service Delivery
Coffee and Community: Tackling Rural Isolation
Rural Coffee Caravan, United Kingdom
Workforce Support
PYCIPEDIA: Knowledge Sharing Platform to Connect Specialist Social Workers
Linköping Municipality R&D Centre & IT University of Copenhagen, Sweden
Collaborative Practice
The Sharing Factory
Public Centre for Social Welfare Kortrijk, Belgium
Research & Evaluation
Through the eyes of the child
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) & Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Digital Transformation
Automating Social Protection for Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine
Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy and Ministry of Digital Transformation & Medirent, Ukraine
Excellence in Cities
Social Atelier
City of Osijek, Croatia
Photo: Source EXE media boutique
