Spain: The third sector casts their balance of Zapatero’s era

In view of the Spanish elections that will be held on the 9th March 2008, Vita Europe asked Spanish civil society to cast the balance of Zapatero's mandate. This is what they have to say.

Intermòn-Oxfam
Full marks in aid for development but political coherence gets a D. Ariane Arpa, 43 year old general director of Intermòn Oxfam has no doubts: the socialist premier, Josè Luis Rodrìguez Zapatero has brought important changes to the Third sector, but he could have done much more. ?Especially because of his sensitivity to civil society issues?, explains Spain?s most influential social manager.

The Ngo that she has been leadering since 2005 boasts an annual budget of 70 million euros and a staff of 2 thousand, 75% of whom are volunteers. No government can ignore these numbers, and Ariane has taken full advantage of them: two decisions that were fundamental in gaining support for the socialist leader ? the retreat of Spanish troupes from Iraq and the law regulating the arms trade ? are the fruit of Intermòn Oxfam?s tireless campaign. Lobbying victories that do not, however, prevent Ariane from tracing an imparcial balance of the socialist government.

• Read the rest of the interview here

Entorno Social
A 6% annual increase. The indicator that best proves the third sector boom during Zapatero?s four years in government, according to Angel Rodrìguez, is the growth of the monthly third sector magazine and website, Entorno Social, that he directs. Rodrìguez has no doubts: the increase in social awareness among individuals and businesses has been matched by a steep increase in advertising and readership.

The merit goes to the laws passed by the socialist government, says Rodrìguez. ?The reduction of the cost of employing people who at are risk of being excluded in the labour market, the law on Dependency that takes care of 1,125 million people not capable of being self sufficient and the law on single sex marriage? are all examples of the result of increased cooperation between the State, social agents and citizens?, according to Rodrìguez. Who adds that Spain?s economic growth is another sure sign of the success of national policies.

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Taula Social
What have the past four years meant for the Spanish third sector? Despite the lack of official data, Toni Codina, General director of the organisation that brings together Catalunya?s third sector, believes that any changes brought about by the Socialist government led by Zapatero will only be seen over time. But an indicator that these changes will be felt is the recognition that the third sector has finally acheived as providors of social services. Because for the first time non profit organisations have become more than just a helping hand: all social laws passed since 2006 make it very clear that the third sector is the first in line when it comes to service delivery.

• Read the rest of the interview here

And, to find out more about the social laws passed in Spain and the best practices of Spanish civil soicety:

• Our Guide to the Spanish non profit sector, online
• Zapatero's social laws and civil society's best practices