Early childhood, the stage where equal opportunities begin

More than two million children in Spain live in poverty, a figure that places the country with the highest child poverty rate in the European Union. Against this backdrop, and on the occasion of World Children's Day – November 20 – the "la Caixa" Foundation is reinforcing its commitment to the comprehensive development of vulnerable children and adolescents. The fight against child poverty is a priority for the "la Caixa" Foundation, which will invest more than €4 billion by 2030 to promote social transformation. Through the CaixaProinfancia program, created in 2007, the foundation has supported nearly 400,000 children and adolescents throughout Spain through a network of more than 400 collaborating social organizations. Rekalde is a neighborhood in Bilbao with a high concentration of vulnerable families, and it's where Sebastián, a three-year-old boy, lives. He's been participating in CaixaProinfancia's activities since he was just a few months old. The program has also provided socio-educational support to his sisters, Amaia, nine, and Aitana, five. Their mother, Karol, 29, raises her three children alone and relies on the Guaranteed Income Allowance to support herself. She dreams of her children completing all stages of their education: "That they finish secondary school, high school, go to university... what I can't do, I want them to do." Stories like this family's illustrate CaixaProinfancia's purpose: to prevent vulnerability from being perpetuated from generation to generation and to offer children ongoing support that strengthens their educational, emotional, and social development.

A decisive stage in development

This November 20th, World Children's Day, the "la Caixa" Foundation is focusing particularly on early childhood, the stage from 0 to 6 years old. The organization explains that this is a crucial period in cognitive, emotional, and social development, and reaffirms its conviction: every child deserves to grow up with equal opportunities and be surrounded by love, stimulation, and protection. The scientific evidence is clear: investing in their early years is defending children's rights and is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty. For this reason, the CaixaProinfancia program has strengthened its intervention with two key services: Family Spaces and Growth Spaces.

Family Spaces

Family Spaces is an intensive support program for families with babies from 0 to 3 years old that strengthens parenting skills and guarantees safe and stimulating environments.

Growth Spaces

Growth Spaces are a new service that promotes the right to play, leisure, and culture as educational tools. Therefore, it combines activities for children aged 3 to 6 with workshops and shared spaces for families. Through play, artistic, and community activities, values, healthy habits, and positive family bonds are fostered. Both services share the same philosophy: putting childhood and family at the center, with a comprehensive and personalized approach, and a community-oriented perspective that builds support networks and opportunities.