​The ENSA European Network for Social Authorities is a network of cities and European regions that aims to promote international co-operation in the field of social care. Established by the Veneto region in 1999, the network has developed and supported strong partnerships between a wide range of regions and has carried out seminars, conferences, programmes and numerous exchanges of practitioners. This co-operation includes several projects financed by the European Commission. The network organises its work across five main areas – covering the elderly, youth and family, children, disability, and social inclusion. Once a year, working with the European institutions, a general assembly is held in order to share the lessons of the work done at local level and to participate actively in European policy-making and programmes.