The keys to a social project that leaves no one behind

IN COLLABORATION WITH “LA CAIXA” FOUNDATION

In our country, 9 out of 10 people believe that the economic difference between its inhabitants is excessive, a perception that unfortunately fits reality. According to data from a study prepared by the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation, Spain is among the European countries with the greatest income disparity in recent decades. In fact, between 2015 and 2019 it was the fifth most unequal country.

With this reality, it is essential to promote a more equitable and fair society, providing opportunities to those who need them most. This is the fundamental objective of the “la Caixa” Foundation. For more than a century, the entity has promoted social progress through various programs that not only have the power to transform reality, but also generate a long-term impact. All of this is done with the aim of allowing people in vulnerable situations to fully develop their potential with equal opportunities.

This was highlighted by the deputy general director, Elisa Durán, and the deputy general director of the ”la Caixa” Foundation, Marc Simón, at the recent meeting “Keys to social progress”. In this event, which took place on November 16 at CaixaForum Madrid, the chronification of poverty in Spain was highlighted and how social programs, through their transformative model, can play a fundamental role in helping . to overcome it. At the meeting, the context and the most significant challenges of the current social panorama were analyzed, together with testimonies and social entities. The dialogue has focused on the challenges that mark the present and future of society.

In addition, the documentary project ‘Told Lives’ has been presented, a photographic and audiovisual project of 14 stories of improvement, which gives a voice to people. These protagonists share their learnings in order to raise awareness among citizens, highlighting the transformative capacity of social projects, thanks to the commitment of the entities’ professionals and the perseverance of the people who participate.

Inequality in Spain: a detailed portrait

Although the increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Wage in Spain is the highest in the last twenty years, income inequality has grown during the last two decades much higher than the European average, as indicated by the study by the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation.

Likewise, the income difference between age groups has widened due to a higher unemployment rate and lower wages among the youngest. In fact, almost 50% of those under 35 years of age who live in rent experience a situation of financial overstretch to pay for their homes.

All of these data highlighted by the Social Observatory make a pressing reality visible: 16% of households with working people are at risk of poverty. It particularly affects those who have dependent minors and only one active person, but it is also high among young people (21%) and those headed by women (18%). This working poverty in Spain is the result of a combination of job instability, low wages and insufficient family policies.

The study concludes that people who are in poverty in Spain are at greater risk of facing new deficiencies (such as overcrowding, low pay, low work intensity or poor health) and are less likely to stop suffering from the deficiencies they already have. compared to people who are not poor. Furthermore, research finds that well-coordinated policy programs can play a critical role in helping to overcome the interrelationships of different deprivations.

“Since our beginnings, 119 years ago, we have promoted collaborative philanthropy with all agents in the territory to anticipate social needs. Aware of the responsibility we have, we work efficiently so that this shared work has a real and transformative impact on lives “of people,” highlighted the deputy general director, Elisa Durán.

The ”la Caixa” Foundation carries out pioneering and differential social action in all the provinces of Spain

Programs that make a difference

To cover these needs, the ”la Caixa” Foundation carries out its own programs that cover people’s entire life cycle. The CaixaProinfancia Program, for example, aims to break the cycle of poverty that is transmitted from parents to children. Since its inception, it has cared for 360,000 minors in vulnerable situations throughout Spain.

For its part, it is worth highlighting Incorpora’s workforce, which each year hires more than 45,000 people at risk of exclusion. The Foundation also has Calls for Social Projects, with which it promotes nearly 1,500 territorial initiatives through the entities.

The Seniors Program, promoted in the 629 centers that make up the network, has almost 300,000 participants each year. This initiative aims to promote active aging, offering comprehensive care to those elderly who are in a vulnerable situation.

The Seniors Program has 300,000 participants per year.FLC

Finally, the Program for Comprehensive Care of People with Advanced Illnesses has cared for 38,000 patients and 40,000 family members throughout 2023, accompanying them throughout the entire disease process.

These programs have an action model that seeks to transform the future of vulnerable people without adopting a mere assistance approach. Its highly professional philanthropy is distinguished by rigorous and collaborative self-demand with social agents and is governed by four principles: anticipation, complementarity, efficiency and innovation.

Its commitment lies in building a more just society, offering more opportunities to those who need them most, maintaining values ​​of excellence, trust and social commitment.

In its work with social entities, the Foundation relies on a network model, where each program has scientific direction by academic experts. In this work, methodologies are shared with social entities, who implement them directly with the recipients. In addition, networking and collaboration between multiple agents is encouraged in pursuit of a common goal: providing the best opportunities to each individual.

Told Lives: a project of empowerment and hope

As we have explained, at the meeting “Keys to social progress” the documentary project “Told Lives” was presented, an initiative that seeks to give voice to real experiences of improvement. Through 14 stories, the challenges faced by people who have managed to transform their lives and build a better future are highlighted.

This project is developed together with 14 social entities and institutions of the “la Caixa” Foundation and aims to motivate other people who may face similar situations. By sharing these stories of resilience and personal growth, we seek to raise awareness about the importance of solidarity, empathy and mutual support in building a more just and equitable society.