Sagrada Família Social Action Fund awards €3.5 million to 94 organisations working with vulnerable groups - Sagrada Família Social Action Fund awards €3.5 million to 94 organisations working with vulnerable groups

This morning, the Social Action Fund (SAF) held an event presenting the resolution of its second call, promoted by the Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família Foundation. The event featured Ex-officio President Cardinal Joan Josep Omella i Omella, who led the event and gave the closing remarks; Mr Esteve Camps, Executive Chairman; Ms Núria Vendrell, Mr Jaume Solé and Mr Guillem López Casanovas, members of the Social Action Fund Committee and Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família trustees; Mr Xavier Martínez, General Director; and Ms Marta Otzet, director of Culture and Social/Educational Actions. They were accompanied by the grant recipients.

A total of 94 organisations from the third sector

The SAF aims to jointly fund social projects and initiatives promoted by non-profit organisations that strive to cover the needs and demands of society today. Interest in this programme continues to grow: this time 530 projects registered and 269 of those were considered eligible. A total of 94 organisations have been awarded grants, nearly twice as many as the first call, which funded 56 projects.

By areas of impact, 27.66% of the jointly funded projects are working to fight poverty and social exclusion, 26.60% in the field of health and personal autonomy, 24.47% focus on children, adolescents and young adults, 10.64% on migrants and refugees, and 10.64% on the elderly.

An impact of €3.5 million in 26 towns in the Archdiocese of Barcelona

The amount awarded in this second call went to organisations in 26 cities, 5 more than the previous call: Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Cornellà de Llobregat, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Montgat, Tiana, Alella, El Masnou, Teià, Premià de Dalt, Premià de Mar, Vilassar de Mar, Vilassar de Dalt, Cabrera de Mar, Cabrils, Mataró, Argentona, Òrrius, Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Caldes d’Estrac, Sant Vicenç de Montalt, Dosrius.

Nearly €5 million for the 2025 call

Funding for the Social Action Fund comes in part from the Foundation’s surplus, so the consolidation of economic recovery in recent years is allowing the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família to continue this initiative, which is in line with the Temple’s values. A total of €3.5 million was allocated for this second call, 50% more than in 2023, and as Sagrada Família General Director Xavier Martínez announced today, nearly €5 million has been allocated for the 2025 call, 40% more than the second call and twice as much as the first call.

As Xavier Martínez noted, “This second call has gone very well and has encouraged us to continue the initiative with the same enthusiasm as the first year. There will be nearly €5 million for the 2025 call, twice as much as the first one. And the big news is that we’ve expanded the geographic scope of the SAF programme, including the dioceses of Terrassa and Sant Feliu, which are suffragan sees of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, covering an area that is home to five million people. SAF continues to grow and have a positive impact on our communities.”

The committee is drawing up the calendar and working so projects can submit applications before the end of the year.

‌In his closing remarks, the Cardinal encouraged the organisations to continue working to help the poor and build a fairer, more just society.

All the details of this call are available HERE.