AI & Social Work Innovation Competition

Are you an mbo, hbo or university student? Contribute your idea to the future of social work and get the chance to win €2,694! 

Social workers – including youth workers, community sports coaches, community workers, (school) social workers and family coaches – are there every day to support people with a wide range of questions and challenges. At the same time, the pressure on social work is increasing. Support needs are becoming more complex, while time and capacity are becoming increasingly limited and expectations continue to grow.

The challenge

How can we use AI to make social work more effective, accessible and future-proof, while preserving the human character of the profession?

AI is already being actively explored and used within social work. Examples include voice-controlled reporting and initiatives aimed at making administrative processes smarter and more efficient. These applications represent an important first step.

But we believe there is much more possible!

With this challenge, we are specifically looking for new ideas for AI-based methods, applications or solutions that can support social workers in their daily work. How can AI help professionals connect even better with people, make well-informed decisions and provide better support when people face challenges in their lives?

You do not need to have a fully developed product. A well-founded concept or idea is enough, as long as you clearly explain which problem you are addressing and how your solution could contribute to the daily practice of social workers.

Why this challenge

Every day, social workers support people with questions about parenting, finances, health, participation in society, loneliness and many other issues.
Their work is more important than ever.

To ensure that high-quality support remains available in the future, we need new ideas. We are looking for students who can look at this challenge with a fresh perspective and come up with solutions that professionals can start working with tomorrow.

What can you win

The winner will receive €2,694,-- equivalent to one full year of tuition fees for a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO). 
There are also prizes for second place (€750,--) and third place (€500,--).

What do you need to do

1. Sign up for the interest list. You can find the interest list at the bottom of this page.
2. Test your idea with a social work professional. This must be reflected in your submission. 
3. Develop your idea and submit your entry by 14 October.
4. Make it into the top 3? Then you will present your idea at our conference, “Social Functioning in a New Era”, on 25 November 2026 in Emmen, the Netherlands.

Wait… a presentation?

Yes, indeed! You will have to briefly explain your idea to an audience of more than 300 professionals, local government representatives and researchers. 
At the end of the day, the jury will decide who wins. Will your AI idea be selected as the winning solution for advancing the social domain? 
Then you will receive €2,694,-- equivalent to one year of HBO tuition fees. The second and third-place winners will receive €750,-- and €500,-- respectively. 
And there is more: a People’s Choice Award will also be presented on the day itself!

Who can participate

The challenge is open to mbo, hbo and university students enrolled at an educational institution in the Northern Netherlands. Whether you study technology, ICT, social sciences, public administration, psychology, communication, business administration or something completely different: great ideas can come from any discipline.

Discover the reality of social work

In the video below, social workers talk about their work, the challenges they encounter every day and the opportunities they see for AI.