Spain has experienced a wave of poverty ranging from 2019-2022. The highest recorded rate was during 2020 (21.7%), when the pandemic hit, leaving the economy to shrink severely. Improvement significantly hit around 2021 (20.4%), decreasing by 1.3%. Though poverty in Spain has grown to shift throughout the years, it remains a significant issue.

In May 2020, the government modified the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) program, though support levels were high, the cause of inflation ultimately surpassed them. The plan affected particular individuals, those who had not been residents for an entire year and young adults ages 18 through 22. Eventually, it made it more difficult for the IMV to offer sufficient social support. In August 2021 and August 2022, price inflation had increased by 10.5%, reaching the highest level since the official measurement began in 1994. As a result, staple foods increased in price by 25 to 40% by September.

As inflation fluctuates and prices continue to rise and fall, the fight against poverty continues. Charities operating in Spain like the ones listed below advocate to help those in need.

Lanzaderas de Empleo y Emprendimiento Solidario

In the first quarter of the year, the unemployment rate in Spain increased to 12.29% from 11.80% in 2023, demonstrating that the issue remains consistent. Lanzaderas de Empleo y Emprendimiento Solidaria (Employment and Solidarity Entrepreneurship Shuttles) is an educational workshop established in 2013 by the Santa Maria la Real Foundation. The program focuses on supportive proactive training to help individuals overcome the challenges that come with unemployment. More than 800 Employment Shuttles have worked at this free-of-charge program across the country. About 20,000 people have participated and around 60% have improved their employment situation.

Fundación Balia

Founded in 2001, another of the charities operating in Spain is the Fundación Balia, which aims to promote social inclusion by helping disadvantaged children. Its goal is to break the pattern of poverty through education, allowing minors the opportunity to develop their fullest potential. The organization has delivered numerous programs through 27 public primary and 31 public secondary schools. In June 2020, The Scheinberg Relief Fund worked with the foundation to provide “a year’s supply of masks and hygiene items” when its doors reopened after the mass pandemic. Children began to attend the restarting of face-to-face events to prevent the inequality gap from increasing. Its various initiatives have helped more than 1,444 families and 914 children in 2020.

The Human Safety Net España

Developed by Generali in 2017, The Human Safety Net focuses on vulnerable families with children under 6 helping more than 150,000 families. Its For Families program aims to support parents who live in difficult circumstances by providing the best possible foundation for their children’s future. The program allows parents to invest in courses on positive parenting and learn how to educate their children at each stage of their growth. It joins forces with NGOs and private sectors that share the same objectives to accomplish its goals.

Acción Contra el Hambre

Since 2014, Acción contra el Hambre (Action Against Hunger) has been approaching the food safety problem. It helps the unemployed by offering training and programs to detect food insecurity. In 2023, its programs opened employment opportunities for more than 5,000 people. By offering employment and training itineraries, they achieved a labor insertion rate of 43% in less than six months. The organization has helped around 24.5 million people working in 55 countries.

Cáritas Española

The Spanish Episcopal Conference established Caritas, associated with the Catholic Church, in 1947. Its objective is to improve conditions and promote social justice by helping in areas of health and housing. One of its many projects includes Nueva Esperanza (New Hope), a temporary house for women seeking sanctuary. Cáritas has provided support to around 500,000 people in Spain in 2023 and continues to make a difference.

Poverty remains an issue in Spain as the cost of living fluctuates, resulting in higher prices. However, with the work of charities operating in Spain, a difference is being made.

– Savannah Garza

Savannah is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr