Spain: The Caixa increases its social fund by 20%

?La Caixa?, the largest savings bank in Spain, has increased its social budget by nearly 20% in comparison with 2005. Dependant people, offenders, migrants, the disabled, youngsters and children will be those to benefit most from this increase. Thus, ?La Caixa? becomes the first Spanish private Foundation and the ninth in the world. Although social projects will be the true beneficiaries of the solidarity-based task the Foundation will carry out this year, support to environmental, scientific, cultural and educational projects will also be relevant. The care for the elderly with slight and transitional dependency will be one of the major focus of this year?s activity. 50 microbuses will cross all Spain to identify individuals in this condition and to lead them to stimulation and rehabilitation workshops equipped by the Foundation itself. One of the other objectives will be the labour reintegration of offenders for whom 380 vocational training grants will be provided in several sectors (construction, gardening, computering, hotels and restaurants, etc.). A network of 75 social mediators will also be created to help migrants and to avoid cultural clashes as those which have occurred in other countries. For youngsters, a programme will be designed to promote their active participation in solidarity-base projects and the network of hospital-based cyberspaces for young hospital patients will also be extended. Concerning the environment, individuals in risk of exclusion from the labour market will be able to work in the preservation of natural parks combating forest fires, improving forest habitats, etc. In addition, a hospital ship will tour the Spanish coast for two years for contributing to preserve maritime ecosystems and rescuing and recovering endangered species. portal.lacaixa.es/