Twenty-two initiatives that excel in their contribution to social development and the improvement of society's financial literacy have been distinguished
The Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, inaugurated the CECA Obra Social and Financial Education Awards
In this edition, the honorary award for international social trajectory was granted to Fundación Fondo Cultural Bancatlan of Honduras
CECA's member entities have invested more than €7.8 billion in Obra Social over the last ten years, the largest private social investment in Spain
CECA, the association chaired by Isidro Fainé and comprising CaixaBank, Kutxabank and Cajasur Banco, ABANCA, Unicaja Banco, Ibercaja Banco, Caixa Ontinyent, Colonya Pollença and Cecabank, as well as more than thirty foundations, today presented the initiatives honoured at the CECA Obra Social and Financial Education Awards 2024, held at the Real Casino de Madrid in the presence of Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Business.
The event distinguishes and disseminates projects that excel in their commitment to society and the improvement of financial literacy. With a total of 62 candidacies, have been delivered 22 prizes in ten categories and two special prizes. The members of the jury included renowned experts from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, the National Securities Market Commission, Fundación Lealtad, the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Funcas and El Confidencial.
For the minister of Economy, Trade and Company, Carlos Cuerpo: «It is necessary to follow driving the financial education because it is a fundamental instrument for the suitable decision making by the citizens, especially by the young; it allows taking out talent and promote the enterprise; have a great economic knowledge and improve the financial»inclusion.
Meanwhile, José María Méndez, the CEO of CECA, emphasised: 'Building a responsible banking sector is more than a financial commitment, it is a mission to transform lives and foster a more inclusive society where every person has access to fair and dignified economic opportunities'. Adding: 'The CECA sector has every reason to proclaim that we are more than just financial institutions; through our actions, we drive social change and facilitate human progress, doing everything in our power to help the most disadvantaged groups'.
In the field of Obra Social, awards were presented in the following categories: Social Action, Culture and Heritage, Sport and Leisure, Local Development and Job Creation, Education and Research, and Environment. With regard to Financial Education, the categories established were: Children and Young People (0-25 years of age), Adults (26-65 years of age), Elderly (65+ years of age) and Entrepreneurs. A special jury award was also presented in each field.
Initiatives honoured
Obra Social Category
Social Action
1st. Fundación “la Caixa ”. Programme to address loneliness 'Always Accompanied'
2nd. Fundación Caja Navarre. 'Preview salud', an app that transforms healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities
Culture and Heritage
1st. CATTLE RANCHES. Restoration of the facades and exterior elements of Casa Botines
2nd. Fundación Circle of Burgos. Exhibition: 30 years in the archives of the Burgos Cathedral
Sport and leisure
1st. Fundación CajaCanarias. Project Relay
2nd. Fundación Caja Rioja. 50th Fundación Tournament Caja Rioja of Ball
Local Development and Job Creation
1st. Fundación Ibercaja. Youth Space of Fundación Ibercaja
2nd. Fundación Unicaja. FEM CODERS MÁLAGA. BOOTCAMP Fullstack Web development for Asociación Arrabal-AID
Education and Research
1st. Fundación Ibercaja. Educate for the Future Awards
2nd. Fundación Vital Fundazioa. HIBRIDALAB, Centre for Open Innovation and Creative Transfer in Alava
Environment
1st. Afundación, Obra Social ABANCA. Education for sustainability
2nd. Fundación Ibercaja. Mobility City
Special Jury Award for Obra Social
Fundación “la Caixa”. Funding facility for research into minority paediatric diseases with Hospital Sant Joan de Deu
Financial Education Category
Children and Young People (0-25 years of age)
1st. ABANCA. Secure your money
2nd. Kutxabank. Finances for life
Adults (26-65 years of age)
1st. CaixaBank. Financial education programme 'Positive Balance'
2nd. Unicaja and Fundación Unicaja (Edufinet). Short videos on financial education
Seniors (65+)
1st. Unicaja and Fundación Unicaja (Edufinet). Conferences for the elderly and Project Ambassadors
2nd. Fundación Cajasol. Applied finance
Entrepreneurs
1st. Fundación Caja Extremadura. Corola, the network of social entities in Extremadura
2nd. Fundación Cajasol. Finance for entrepreneurs
Special Jury Award for Financial Education
Unicaja and Fundación Unicaja (Edufinet). Salamanca Centre for Financial Education
Leading socially responsible banking internationally
CECA is an active member of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) and the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG), international associations with a deep sense of social responsibility and a business model in which priority is given to financial inclusion and the development of Obra Social initiatives.
In this regard, last year CECA created an honorary award in collaboration with WSBI with the aim of highlighting the value of social initiatives with international trajectory undertaken by WSBI's member entities. This year's award went to Fundación Fondo Cultural Bancatlan of Honduras. Banco Atlántida, founded 111 years ago, is known for its deep sense of social responsibility, having a positive impact on Honduran society and strengthening global alliances that allow different organisations in the country to contribute to the attainment of the SDGs of the United Nations. By supporting art and culture, they seek new ways to promote national heritage and talent and, through social investment, corporate volunteering and education, they develop and implement strategic programmes that bring about genuine change in the country's most vulnerable communities. Fundación Fondo Cultural Bancatlan was conceived by the Board of Directors of Banco Atlántida in 1976, with the goal of channelling its assets and efforts to support initiatives for educational, cultural, moral, civic, charitable and sporting purposes.
José María Méndez, CEO of CECA, presented the international award to Faustino Laínez, Chairman of Fundación Fondo Cultural Bancatlan, who emphasised: 'I would like to express my deep gratitude to CECA and the WSBI for such an honourable distinction in nominating us for the category "Social Initiative and International Trajectory", recognising our vision and work'.
The CECA sector's Obra Social and financial education initiatives, benchmarks in inclusion
Obra Social is the group of charitable and social activities currently performed by foundations and savings banks that are members of CECA. These include, in particular, social welfare activities, but also education, research, cultural promotion, job creation and environmental protection initiatives.
Obra Social has become a cornerstone of the welfare state, insofar as it addresses those needs that, in general, cannot be addressed by the public sector, or if they are, they are addressed in a basic manner given the complexities that often constrain public policies. Thus, the Obra Social of the CECA sector has become an essential tool for achieving a fairer and more inclusive society.
Following the approval of Spanish Law 26/2013 on Savings Banks and Banking Foundations, Obra Social has invested close to €7.8 billion in the development of more than 930,000 activities, consolidating its position as the leading private social investor in Spain.
During 2023, investment in Obra Social by CECA's member entities exceeded €850 million, reaching more than 30 million beneficiaries, especially vulnerable groups.
In addition, CECA member entities oversee programmes that work to improve financial literacy among society, a key pillar for economic and financial stability and development. Last year, investment in programmes to improve the financial literacy and digital skills of all groups totalled €2.58 million, 50% more than the previous year.
Over the last six years, the total investment undertaken by the CECA sector in financial education has totalled almost €18 million, and of this, €12.8 million was allocated to the 'Funcas Financial Education Stimulus Programme (Funcas Educa)'. These figures consolidate CECA's position as one of the largest investors in financial education in Spain.