This now really touches

What happens when a person decides to donate 100 euros to an organization that researches ALS? What does it mean when a company supports local culture and becomes a patron of an emerging artist? What does it imply when a foundation builds a pediatric hospice thanks to private donations?

All these situations have a common denominator: the direct involvement of citizens in improving their environment. A way to actively participate in the social, cultural, and scientific life of the country. This is patronage. This is philanthropy.

Catalonia has historically been a country with a committed civil society, capable of organizing itself and responding to collective needs. Our associative and foundational fabric – with hundreds of organizations active in areas such as social action, culture, health, or research – has contributed decisively to structuring the territory and generating social cohesion from proximity. This commitment, however, needs tools. And this is where the regulatory framework comes in.

At the state level, the recent reform of the patronage law has shown that it is possible to reach agreements and move forward. This is a positive step, the result of sustained work by the third sector and dialogue with institutions and the legislative power, which contributes to encouraging philanthropy and recognizing the role of civil society.

But what about Catalonia? Today, our country still does not have its own patronage law. We know that there is advanced work, but the legislative path is still long. Since April 2025, the process has been paralyzed awaiting the Government to make public the text of the draft bill and submit it to the public hearing and information procedure.

It is legitimate to ask: why are we so late?

In Catalonia, there are regional tax incentives for certain areas – such as the promotion of language, the environment, or research – but these benefits do not extend to other purposes of general interest, such as social action, education, health, or culture, to give a few examples. This situation creates an asymmetry that is difficult to justify. While it is positive to incentivize certain causes, we cannot overlook other fundamental pillars of our country's model. Not recognizing them equitably in the tax incentive system limits the potential of philanthropy and reduces the capacity to mobilize private resources in areas crucial for collective well-being.

International experience is clear. In countries where fiscally attractive frameworks for patronage have been developed, a multiplier effect has occurred: more social action, more culture, more research. But also more employment, more economic activity, and, ultimately, more return for society as a whole. Fostering philanthropy is not just a matter of solidarity; it is also a strategic investment for the country's development.

For this reason, Catalonia needs – and deserves – its own patronage law. An ambitious law that reflects the plurality of our civic and community fabric, recognizes the value of all areas of action, and effectively incentivizes citizen participation. We are not starting from scratch. There is consensus. There is experience. There is the will of all patronage stakeholders. What is missing now is political decisiveness. It is time for the Government to listen to the sector, accelerate the legislative process, and educate the public about the importance of patronage. Because promoting philanthropy is not just about favoring organizations: it is about building a more just, more cohesive country with a greater capacity to respond to collective challenges.

Simply put, it's time.