The Confederation's initiative was born with the aim of initiating a process to recognize and acknowledge the skills of youth volunteer work, so young volunteers can demonstrate the skills developed in their constant engagement in the most varied fields of activity. At presenty, the Salesian organization has involved its federations in implementing the project at the local level.
The la Caixa Social Innovation Prizes award social organizations applying innovative methods in their initiatives and who want to effectively transform the lives of socially vulnerable people.
The awards ceremony was held at CaixaForum in Madrid in the presence of Dolors Montserrat, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Equal Opportunity; the General Manager of the "Caixa" Banking Foundation, Jaume Giró; the Regional Director of "CaixaBank" in Madrid, Juan Gandarias; and the Corporate Governance Director of “la Caixa” Banking Foundation, Marc Simon. The awards ceremony was also attended by David Arduengo, President of the Confederation of Don Bosco Youth Centers, and Santi Domínguez, the Confederation's National Coordinator.
The Finalists are part of the projects chosen in six 2016 Calls by the “la Caixa” Grants Program for Social Work, an annual program that provides support to organizations actively meeting some of society's most pressing needs.
In addition to highlighting innovation and increasing visibility of the social problems these entities face, the awards aim give visibility to the projects announced in the 2016 Calls to increase their impact on society.
In Spain, nearly 41,400 children and young people participate in the 135 youth centers of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians: it is a form of education on the use of their leisure time and of Christian and human formation, made possible thanks to the collaboration of some 5,000 animators.
