About Us

Social Services Europe (SSE) is a network of 9 European umbrella organisations – currently comprising Caritas Europa, CECOP, CEDAG, E.A.N., EASPD, EPR, Eurodiaconia, FEANTSA and the Red Cross EU Office –, representing over 200,000 not-for-profit social and health care organisations.

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SSE aims to strengthen the profile and position of social services and to promote the role of not-for-profit social service providers throughout Europe.

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We are active in a sector employing over 11 million people which is characterised by a strong and continued employment growth dynamic, also due to growing, changing and new social needs. With all members of our network taken together, Social Services Europe is represented in all EU MS. Several members have membership also beyond the EU, including in EU candidate of neighbourhood countries.

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Our national members support millions of people in various stages of their life, such as children, older people, persons with disabilities, people at risk or experiencing poverty and social exclusion, homeless people, migrants and asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups. ​They offer care, support, guidance, education and training services, also with the aim to empower those who need these services and to help realise and defend their social and human rights.