The "la Caixa" Foundation earmarks one million euros to support projects by Spanish NGDOs in developing countries
The "la Caixa" Foundation has promoted the second edition of the Call for International Cooperation, the aim of which is to contribute to the fight against poverty and inequality in countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia through initiatives that improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations.
Within this framework, a total of 23 projects promoted by Spanish non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) have been selected, which has resulted in an investment of more than one million euros, compared to more than 750,000 euros the previous year.
In this way, the "la Caixa" Foundation, through its International Area, reinforces its commitment to international cooperation and Spanish organisations that are implementing projects in developing countries.
The 23 projects are divided into three areas of action:
- socio-economic development: support for local development initiatives, promotion of productive capacities for job creation and entrepreneurship, and promotion of the social economy.
- health improvement: basic services, primary health care and access to reproductive and maternal and child health services, combating pneumonia, malaria, COVID-19, water-borne and other communicable diseases, water and sanitation, and training of health workers.
- promotion of education and training: quality education for primary and secondary education, promotion of technical and professional skills for young people and people with functional diversity, scholarships at all levels of training, non-formal education and literacy.
The Autonomous Communities with selected initiatives are: Andalusia, Community of Madrid, Catalonia, Castile and Leon, Community of Navarre, Community of Valencia, Extremadura and Galicia.
The projects will be developed in the following countries: Peru, Madagascar, El Salvador, Nepal, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic.
The 23 projects selected have objectives as diverse as improving access to drinking water and sustainable energy; promoting maternal and child health; technical training and improving the mental health of adolescents and young people; promoting the right to eye health; educational reintegration of minors at high risk of social exclusion; and promoting women's entrepreneurship in rural tourism, among others.
This Call for International Cooperation reaffirms the commitment of the "la Caixa" Foundation to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) most directly linked to these projects are SDG 1 (end poverty), SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 4 (inclusive, equitable and quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).