TRIBUNA

Financial Sector: A Driving Force for Inclusion Behind the Scenes

May 19, 2026

26% of the Spanish population is at risk of poverty. The Obra Social is the largest private social investor in Spain.

Quietly, supportively, and tirelessly. This is how more than 28,000 Third Sector entities operate in our country to promote the exercise of social rights, foster inclusion, and prevent the most vulnerable groups from being excluded from decent levels of well-being. A necessary mission in a world as commercialized as the current one, where values such as solidarity, altruism, and empathy do not hold market value.

In our country, high inequality is one of the most pressing social issues, which consistently surpasses the levels of most European countries. A focal point of social instability because it excludes the most disadvantaged communities from the prosperity generated by economic growth. Furthermore, its long-term persistence, especially when affecting minors, leads to greater intergenerational transmission of poverty. The reality is that, in our country, the risk of poverty or social exclusion rate (AROPE), although it decreased last year, affects 26% of the population, placing Spain as the fourth country in the EU with the highest rate.

However, income or education levels are not the only triggers of social exclusion. In light of the unstoppable advance of digitalization, a new factor emerges: the digital divide phenomenon, which gained special public visibility after the pandemic as it became evident that not all groups can access the advances and opportunities that come with digital life. Addressing this new form of inequality is certainly complex, but as a society, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind, regardless of their age, socioeconomic level, or access to technology.

We also cannot overlook the challenge that our aging population, one of the oldest in Europe, represents for our society and its implications for the care model of Third Sector entities. Clearly, we are moving towards a society where caring for our elderly will be an unavoidable priority, requiring greater sensitivity and moral commitment.

In the face of these challenges, Third Sector organizations have become an essential actor in recent years and, in fact, an indispensable complement to the welfare state. Among these entities, we cannot forget the foundations associated with CECA that have ensured the historical continuity of the Obra Social previously developed by savings banks since 2014. With an investment close to 6.8 billion, the Obra Social has become, over the last decade, the largest private social investor in our country, reaching over 286 million beneficiaries in aggregate terms thanks to its local roots and outreach. During this time, programs have adapted to new needs of the assisted groups, incorporating, for example, digital literacy initiatives or reinforcing those aimed at accompanying the elderly and promoting active aging, as well as prioritizing child protection.

We could not conclude this brief reflection on the assistance work performed by Third Sector entities behind the scenes without an explicit recognition of the collaborative spirit that characterizes them and that was commemorated on National Third Sector Day. Joining forces, sharing resources and knowledge, weaving support and volunteer networks, collaborating with multiple sectors, public and private entities, these organizations remind us that together we can achieve a much greater impact and that generosity and cooperation, not competition, are the pillars on which a fairer and more compassionate society can be built. Their example inspires us and shows that the path toward a more promising future depends on our ability to work together for the benefit of all.

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