The board of directors of Criteria, the investment arm of the La Caixa Foundation, has promoted its current general manager, José María Méndez, to the position of CEO, making him a member of the company's governing body. He was appointed CEO Last May, after a stint as assistant to the former CEO of CriteriaCaixa, Angel Simonwho was dismissed. This appointment, which completes the restructuring of the company's leadership, represents recognition of the work of this executive, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of Criteria, according to sources within the organization. The accounts for the past year were also approved, showing a net profit of €2.325 billion, a 120% increase thanks to numerous extraordinary results during the year. At the same time, the Foundation's board of trustees appointed IESE professor Nuria Chinchilla, venture capital expert Julia Salaverría, and auditor Xavier Brossa as independent directors of Criteria. They replace José Antonio Asiaín, Marcos Contreras, and Jean-Louis Chaussade, who have completed their 12-year terms and, therefore, lose their independent status, according to the organization's bylaws. Following these measures, the 25-member board "achieves 40% female representation on the holding company's highest governing body," according to the company.

Households reporting a more comfortable financial situation spend 18% more on private lessons than those struggling to make ends meet. This is one of the study's findings.Shadow education in the Iberian PeninsulaFrom the Social Observatory of the "la Caixa" Foundation.

La Caixa, Spain's largest economic, financial, business, and philanthropic network, has secured its future, at least until 2030. In a move to preserve the independence of the Foundation, the group's parent organization, Isidre Fainé (Manresa, 1942) will remain as chairman for a significant portion of the current administration, whose term ends this week. This continuity and stability, characteristic of the organization, ensures coverage of the strategic plan, which anticipates investing €4 billion by 2030. La Caixa is one of Spain's largest financial institutions, with a market capitalization exceeding €37 billion. Last November, after dismissing CEO Ángel Simón in March, Fainé promoted changes to Criteria's roadmap through 2030 to better align it with the Foundation's interests and objectives. This powerful organization, with its financial, business, and social influence, has been headed by Fainé since 2014, when it ceased to be a savings bank, of which he was also president since 2007. Some sources claim that a key principle is that "Criteria works for the Foundation, not for it."

The doubts have vanished. Isidre Fainé (Manresa, 1942) has been re-elected president of the La Caixa Foundation for another four years. At the same time, Javier Godó (publisher of) has been reappointed as vice president. The VanguardJosé María Álvarez-Pallete (former president of Telefónica), Luis Carreras (lawyer and vice president of the Red Cross in Barcelona), Isabel Estapé (notary), María Isabel Gabarró (notary), Eugeni Gay (lawyer), and Francesc Homs (president of In and president of Nestlé) will continue as board members. In all cases, the re-election approved by the board this Monday is for the statutory four-year term. Furthermore, the 2026 budget for social work increases by more than 8%, to 710 million euros.

Utopias This is the corporate campaign with which the "la Caixa" Foundation pays tribute to all social organizations, technicians, volunteers, doctors, psychologists, social workers, teachers, and researchers—and all those whose commitment helps the most vulnerable in their daily lives. Founded by Francesc Moragas 120 years ago, the "la Caixa" Foundation has since supported those who continue to make utopias possible through actions and programs against poverty and social exclusion, promoting health, and fostering culture. The campaign is based on and inspired by real-life situations and has involved the participation of various organizations and institutions. Its emotional and human message is that conveyed by its founder in a phrase that remains fully relevant and that highlights a way of working since its inception: "The impossible is just more difficult than difficult things."

Gorka Espiau is the director of the Agirre Lehendakaria Center (EHU), an advisor to the European Commission, and the scientific director of Work4Progress, a program of the International Area of the "la Caixa" Foundation, which contributes to the creation of quality jobs in rural areas of Colombia, India, Mozambique, and Peru for women and young people. This PhD in social sciences advocates a different way of addressing development challenges. Real innovation, local participation, and collaborative learning are key, and he rejects the implementation of isolated pilot programs in favor of "interconnected innovation experiences."

The La Caixa Foundation is allocating €250 million to social investment this year, according to an agreement signed this Monday between the foundation's president, Isidre Fainé, and the president of the Generalitat (the Catalan government), Salvador Illa. The previous agreement was for €225 million, representing an increase of approximately 11%. Of the total amount, €99 million will be allocated to the foundation's social programs, especially those aimed at the most vulnerable groups. Funding is also included for cultural and research initiatives, as well as scholarships. The amount agreed upon with the Generalitat is part of the €655 million that La Caixa is allocating to social projects this year, the highest amount in its history. After signing the agreement, Fainé explained that the objective is "to strengthen the most transformative projects, dedicated to promoting equal opportunities." "Another strategic priority is the creation of the CaixaResearch Institute, whose building will be inaugurated in 2026. All these projects are focused on contributing to the progress of Catalonia and the well-being of Catalans in the short, medium, and long term," he stated.

Christmas evokes a collective imagination filled with celebrations and joy, almost an obligation to be well that clashes sharply with the reality of those experiencing grief. To support these individuals, the "la Caixa" Foundation's Comprehensive Care Program for People with Advanced Illnesses promotes the "It's Christmas and There's an Empty Chair" meetings.

To celebrate the Christmas holidays, the "la Caixa" Foundation presents a special program for all audiences in CaixaForum Barcelona and to CosmoCaixa Science Museum With a wide range of cultural and scientific offerings to suit all tastes.

María Angustias Salmerón is one of the most insightful voices on the impact of digital media on child development. A pediatrician specializing in digital health, she argues for the urgent need for regulation because it affects us all. Following her participation in a debate on digital well-being and minors held at the Macaya Palace of the "la Caixa" Foundation, María Angustias Salmerón speaks of recovering social relationships in the face of an increasingly "complex" digital ecosystem and calls for "technology that adds value, educates, protects, and truly serves society."

Every two weeks, Adrián and Daniel, two young men with intellectual disabilities, volunteer at a nursing home in Ávila to spend the afternoon with Luisa and Luciano, two elderly people who are single and have no close family. They do this thanks to the support of Respirávila and its project. I also do volunteer workSelected in the 2024 Castilla y León Social Projects Call for Proposals by the "la Caixa" Foundation. Coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, their story invites us to change our perspective: to move from seeing people with disabilities as mere recipients of aid to recognizing them as citizens with full rights and the capacity to assist others.

On October 29, 2024, Inma was at home with her 11-year-old son when a neighbor knocked on the door and told them, "Go upstairs, water's coming." Within seconds, their garage began to flood. The water eventually reached over a meter high, halfway up the first-floor staircase. "The boy kept leaning over the stairs and saying, 'Mom, it's on the second step; Mom, it's on the third; Mom, it's on the fourth.'" They lost their car, their computer, their refrigerator, their clothes… This is Inma's story, but this story—or worse—could be told by hundreds of thousands of people affected by the storm that day, which claimed 229 lives in dozens of Valencian municipalities. "I didn't leave my front door until the sixth day. I didn't want to see certain things, so my mind wouldn't hold onto them," recalls this mother who lives in l'Horta Sud, in the epicenter of the tragedy.

A few weeks ago, after returning home from work, Enric made himself something to eat, took a shower, and lay down on his bed with music playing softly in the background. A song he used to listen to during difficult times came on, and he remembered past experiences. He opened his eyes and realized he was home. "My time has come. I'm okay, and I'm happy," he thought.

The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) held its 34th General Assembly and 4th Social and Philanthropic Council this week in Washington, coinciding with the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Representatives from 82 retail banks and savings banks in 59 countries participated in the WSBI meetings, in a global context marked by economic volatility and social challenges. In his opening address, Isidre Fainé, president of the "la Caixa" Foundation, CECA, and WSBI, warned that "the current international economic landscape has been characterized by persistent volatility and continuous adjustments." He noted that trade tensions, geopolitical instability, and structural imbalances "have created a complex and fragmented environment," exacerbated by inflationary pressures, disruptions in the energy market, and regulatory uncertainty.

Ring, ringThe phone rings. And it's not just any call. Someone answers: "Hello, how are you?" With this gesture, just three words, a simple question, and under the slogan "Loneliness isn't seen, it's felt," the "la Caixa" Foundation has launched an initiative to raise awareness of a reality affecting nearly three million elderly people in Spain. Through a phone booth, those who answer can learn the stories of Javier, Josep, Maria Teresa, and Blanca. The four share their experiences of unwanted loneliness and their progress after participating in the bank's Siempre Acompanyats (Always Accompanied) program. In this way, the initiative aims to highlight a reality through a phone call that, at the same time, becomes a call to action for society.

The winning projects—selected from 428 applications—were evaluated by six panels of international experts and professionals in the field. This year's selections include 15 projects led by researchers from 13 Catalan research centers. Among the projects selected this year are some that could transform cancer treatment: from non-invasive blood tests for advanced lung cancer to immunotherapies based on modified cells for aggressive childhood tumors. A new digital solution for treating complex wounds has also been developed, which will improve support for healthcare professionals. In women's health, an innovative mesh for pelvic organ prolapse is being presented; in the field of genetic diseases, progress is being made toward safer RNA-based therapies; and in the area of neurodegenerative diseases, toward the early detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Coinciding with the start of the 2025-2026 school year, the "la Caixa" Foundation is reinforcing its commitment to vulnerable children for another year through the CaixaProinfancia program, which offers educational support, leisure activities, psychological support, family workshops, and basic assistance to thousands of families across the country. This year, CaixaProinfancia will reach more than 20,000 children and teenagers from 13,000 vulnerable families in Catalonia, providing them with ongoing support in their educational and personal development. Nationwide, the program will reach more than 65,000 children from 41,000 families. The program's objective is to combat child poverty by providing socio-educational support throughout the school year so that children and teenagers from families with economic difficulties can progress on equal footing. To this end, CaixaProinfancia offers a variety of services such as educational support, psychological counseling, speech therapy, family workshops, and leisure activities, as well as assistance to cover basic needs such as food, hygiene products, school supplies, and specific items like eyeglasses and hearing aids. "We want to ensure that no child is left behind due to their family's economic difficulties," stated Albert Rodríguez, director of the CaixaProinfancia program. Therefore, the program's commitment is that "all families can start the school year on equal footing, with the resources and support necessary for their personal and educational development," Rodríguez explained, because "education is the best tool we have to break the cycle of poverty and build a more just society." This support is provided through a network of more than 400 social organizations throughout Spain, in collaboration with schools and public administrations, allowing the support to be tailored to the specific needs of each region and each family.

As every year, the CaixaProinfancia program, promoted by the "la Caixa" Foundation, is launching its summer activities program. During June, July, and August, more than 30,000 children throughout Spain—8,000 of them in Catalonia—are expected to participate free of charge in camps, day camps, urban day camps, and open centers. The initiative has an investment of 10 million euros and is carried out thanks to the collaboration of more than 300 social organizations across Spain. In Catalonia, around 100 social organizations are participating, with more than 3 million euros allocated. This collaborative network allows for the development of a range of summer activities that guarantees a safe and stimulating environment while fostering personal development through interaction, play, and learning. CaixaProinfancia, operating since 2007, seeks to guarantee the right to educational leisure for children living in poverty or social exclusion and contributes to promoting work-life balance during a particularly challenging time for many families. During the summer, many families—particularly those in vulnerable situations—face the difficulty of balancing their work responsibilities with childcare, which increases family stress and limits educational and recreational opportunities. Furthermore, in many cases, they cannot afford holidays or activities such as summer camps, highlighting the need for programs that guarantee equitable access to educational leisure and support families during the summer months. Summers that leave a lasting impression

The organizations linked to the CaixaProinfancia program highlight the essential role of summer activities as spaces for personal and social growth. These activities contribute to the development of key skills in areas such as autonomy, social interaction, self-esteem, and empathy. Through play, group activities, contact with nature, and a structured educational program, meaningful learning experiences are generated that participants integrate naturally. The program provides social organizations with a collection of games developed with the advice of specialists in values-based activities. This summer's offering includes five challenges inspired by the natural stages of crop growth, with the aim of reminding children of the importance of eating well and exercising to feel better and recharge their energy.

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The Macaya Palace of the La Caixa Foundation presents a new edition of its call for proposals designed to promote reflective projects aimed at generating social impact and transformation. The activities, which will take place within the spaces of the Macaya Palace of the La Caixa Foundation, should foster debate and the exchange of ideas on the major challenges facing society. Projects focused on action, enabling a better understanding of social challenges, and presenting innovative methodologies with a multi-sectoral perspective will be especially valued. The call is open to associations, foundations, and non-profit organizations; social enterprises and cooperatives in the social sector; universities and research centers; and public administrations. It will open on March 25th, and organizations can submit their projects until April 29th, 2025. The La Caixa Foundation will contribute a maximum of €15,000 to each selected project, in accordance with the established guidelines. A multifaceted society

We live in an increasingly complex and multifaceted reality. Questioning, understanding, connecting, and debating allow us to take the pulse of the present and plan for the future, establishing priorities, identifying innovative methodologies, and driving social transformation. That is why it is so important to have spaces for reflection that can serve as meeting places for public institutions, social organizations, businesses, universities, professionals, volunteers, and the general public, breaking down sectoral barriers and enabling the generation of responses or alternatives from a multisectoral perspective. With this in mind, the Macaya Palace of the La Caixa Foundation is launching this call for proposals, inviting different stakeholders to submit projects that reflect on the major challenges facing society, and offering them a space—the center itself—and a methodological framework. The director of the Macaya Palace of the La Caixa Foundation, Josep Ollé, emphasized that the purpose of the call is "to transform reflection into a measurable social impact." "That's why we want to promote projects that help us better understand society's challenges, identify new trends, and propose innovative methodologies that, in turn, provide plans, tools, or recommendations that can be applied or disseminated," Ollé concluded.

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In a context where child poverty remains a reality for thousands of children, the "la Caixa" Foundation reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunities through the CaixaProinfancia program. Throughout 2024, this project assisted a total of 65,845 children and adolescents and 41,849 families across Spain, and 20,400 children and adolescents and 13,216 families in Catalonia. Since its inception in 2007, it has reached more than 392,000 children and adolescents and over 227,000 families. In Catalonia, it has reached more than 123,000 children and adolescents and over 75,000 families. The program works to support children, adolescents, and families living in poverty and social vulnerability by providing them with the necessary tools to overcome the socioeconomic barriers they face and guaranteeing them access to the same opportunities for growth, education, and well-being as their peers. In Spain, 1 in 3 children lives in poverty, a reality that directly impacts their personal, educational, and social development. With the aim of breaking the cycle of inherited poverty, CaixaProinfancia promotes comprehensive and personalized support, focused on improving participants' basic skills, study habits, and self-esteem, thus fostering their empowerment and social inclusion.

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