Message from the Organising Committee

The Organising Committee warmly invites you to join the international conference “Increasing Responsiveness to Citizens’ Voice in Social Services across Europe”, the concluding event of the Horizon Europe project RESPONSIVE. This three-day gathering will take place at the University of Lisbon’s Institute for Social and Political Sciences, in collaboration with the Municipality of Amadora.

Social services play a crucial role in protecting rights, promoting inclusion, and supporting the well-being of people facing adversity or exclusion. Yet, too often, those who use social services remain on the margins of decisions that deeply affect their lives. Against a backdrop of growing inequality, financial pressure and accelerated digitalisation, this conference asks how democracy can be strengthened in Europe’s social sector.

Over three days, scholars, practitioners, activists, policymakers, and citizens will come together to explore new ways of deepening participation and co-construction within social services. The event will showcase research, innovation and co-created practices that amplify citizen voice, foster equality in participation, and inspire more responsive approaches across social policy and service delivery.

We look forward to building an open and diverse community of participants—across disciplines, professions, and lived experiences—committed to advancing inclusion, dialogue, and democratic renewal in social services.