The Social Work of the Entities Associated with CECA to Combat Inequality, Social Exclusion, and the Risk of Poverty

The Social Work is a collection of socio-beneficial activities carried out by the entities associated with CECA. Among these, highlights include initiatives of an assistive nature, as well as those related to education, research, cultural promotion, and, more recently, environmental protection.

The Social Work promoted by the entities associated with CECA (CaixaBank, Kutxabank, Cajasur Banco, Abanca, Unicaja Banco, Ibercaja Banco, Caixa Ontinyent, Colonya Pollença, and Cecabank) operates in various areas, aiming to encompass all segments of the population, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups and those in greatest need. For years, the Social Work of the CECA sector has become a fundamental tool for combating inequality, social exclusion, and the risk of poverty, demonstrating its essential role as a unifying element of society.

CECA Sector, First Private Social Investor in Spain

As a result of its firm commitment to society, the Social Work of the entities adhering to CECA re-established itself in 2021 as the first private social investor in Spain, with an investment of over 778 million euros. With this funding, more than 51,000 activities were carried out, benefiting over 25 million people. These figures reflect the effective work of the Social Work of the CECA sector, which has once again reached where it is most needed.

Proximity to the community, especially to families and vulnerable groups, the proven capacity for empathy and collaboration, and the breadth of the “CECA entities” have been key. In the words of Juan Carlos López, head of Sustainability, Social Work, and Financial Education of CECA during the last edition of the CECA Social Work and Financial Education Awards: “The Social Work remains of vital importance as an irreplaceable lever for social, cultural, and economic development, especially for the most vulnerable groups.”



The Social Work of the CECA sector also serves as a complement to public administration programs, making the Social Work one of the main agents in promoting social inclusion today. Its importance is such that the president of the Economic and Social Council, Antón Costas, highlighted at the opening of the latest CECA Foundations and Social Work Commission held in March 2022 that: “The Social Work of CECA is the second pillar of the welfare state in Spain. An essential pillar for the promotion and support of civil society initiatives in favor of the most vulnerable groups in our society.”

In light of the above, we can state that, due to its historical trajectory, its economic contribution, and the differential value of its assistive work, the Social Work carried out by the CECA sector entities plays an essential role in our society, contributing tangibly to its structuring and cohesion. And although currently, with the rise of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), voluntary business initiatives for social improvement are becoming more common, this work is still not comparable, either in breadth or impact, to that performed by the Social Work. However, it is expected that the social actions of the private sector will be strengthened and consolidated in the coming years. Undoubtedly, in this journey, the Social Work, as a historical pioneer of CSR, can be a notable reference.

“Banking Through the Generations”

CECA has launched a series of videos to review the evolution of the banking sector in recent years through conversations between Julián and his granddaughter, María. In the latest of these videos, special emphasis is placed on the work of the Social Work of the “CECA entities.”

The objective of the initiative “Banking Through the Generations” is to review the services that the CECA sector has been offering in recent years and to reflect how it has evolved, adapting to the needs of different generations. In the case of this latest video, we can see how the Social Work has supported families for years and continues to be very present today through social and assistive programs; training and education programs, including financial education training, and initiatives to support scientific research and R&D; cultural activities and actions for heritage conservation; programs supporting local economic development, job creation, supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship; promotion of sports, leisure, and free time activities; as well as programs related to sustainability, the environment, and climate change.