Cáritas invested 144.8 million euros last year to improve the socio-labor autonomy of vulnerable groups.
Of the 65,484 people accompanied by Cáritas Española in job search in 2024, 20% successfully reintegrated into the labor market, according to the Solidarity Economy report presented by the confederation on International Labor Day.
The profile of individuals participating in Cáritas’ employment programs in 2024 remained consistent with previous years: the majority were women (64%), over 45 years old (40%), with basic education (34%) or a high school diploma (28%). Migrants from non-EU countries outnumbered nationals (58%).
«In many cases, we encounter individuals lacking digital skills, facing learning difficulties, limited work experience, family reconciliation challenges, severe socio-economic deficiencies, language barriers, and low self-esteem leading to demotivation,» noted Ana Heras, coordinator of Cáritas Española’s Solidarity Economy team.
This reality necessitates comprehensive and highly individualized support, such as that provided at the Diocesan Employment Center in Cáritas Sevilla. Over 600 individuals in situations of exclusion pass through this center annually, with almost a third successfully reintegrating into the job market.
At this center, individuals receive training in hospitality, care for dependents, renewable energy, construction, building maintenance, and electricity.
While the data is positive, Cáritas Sevilla highlights two specific profiles receiving special attention. The first is families of foreign origin who, despite qualifications and experience, struggle to secure employment due to irregular administrative status or lack of degree recognition.
«In these cases, we work on advocating for rights and provide training support for their job adaptation,» explained Miguel Ángel Carbajo, director of Cáritas Sevilla.
The second profile, as explained, includes families whose providers have low work-related education levels, living in a chronically excluded situation, lacking psychosocial skills, demotivation, and struggling to adapt to dependency and exclusion aid.
144.8 MILLION EUROS
The report reveals that Cáritas allocated a «record» amount of 144.8 million euros last year to all its solidarity economy initiatives (employment programs, insertion companies, and fair trade), a 5.85% increase from the previous year (8 million euros more).
Of this total, 35.9 million went towards socio-labor insertion itineraries, including job orientation, company intermediation, training, and over 108 million to social economy.
Cáritas-driven social economy activities focus on sectors like textile and other waste recycling, food utilization, and organic farming. These projects generated 3,115 jobs, with 2,564 occupied by individuals in exclusion in 2024.
According to the sixth Survey on Integration and Social Needs conducted last summer for the IX FOESSA Report, to be presented later this year, six out of ten severely excluded individuals are out of the labor market.
10 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO SOLIDARITY ECONOMY
Given this scenario, Cáritas argues for an economy that considers people. This year marks the tenth anniversary of its strong commitment to solidarity economy, encompassing its labor insertion, social economy, and fair trade actions.
Over these ten years, the confederation has expanded from 45 to 68 initiatives with 267 business lines across different economic sectors. This growth has tripled social insertion positions and integrated over 120,000 individuals into the job market who were previously excluded.
«Ten years reinforcing support for individuals in vulnerable and socially excluded situations, aiming to provide them access to a dignified life with real opportunities for personal and professional development,» explained Heras.
Among the numerous insertion companies within Cáritas’ network nationwide, one standout is Bioalverde, an organic farming initiative launched by Cáritas Sevilla in the urban area of Montequinto (Dos Hermanas).
The estate spans 30 hectares with gardens, nursery areas, a training center, and an agricultural and commercialization warehouse. Additionally, it has a direct sales establishment for certified organic products from the farm and other local producers, fair trade, with a monthly turnover exceeding 20,000 euros.
This insertion company offers insertion contracts to around 30 exclusion individuals annually. The other direct sales point is located in the Nervión neighborhood of Seville.
ANA: «HAD LOST SELF-ESTEEM»
Ana, a divorced mother responsible for her children, stayed to work at Bioalverde’s store after participating in Cáritas’ employment program. After a long unsuccessful job search, she told Europa Press that she turned to her village priest and thanks to Cáritas, she regained her self-esteem. «I hadn’t realized the hope and self-esteem I had lost, I was tired of knocking on all doors,» she explained.
In 2018, Bioalverde also took on the textile recycling project initiated by Cáritas a couple of years earlier. Thanks to citizen participation, it now has 175 containers throughout the province, enabling, alongside massive collections by parish Cáritas and other entities, the processing of over 900 tons of collected clothing in the last year and the opening of a sustainable and solidarity fashion store in central Seville.
In 2024, Cáritas’ fair trade network nationwide achieved a turnover of around 563,000 euros through sales in its 18 stores and 38 sales points. These locations not only serve as product marketing spots but also create awareness spaces for consumers to see the people and processes behind each product, promoting responsible consumption.