Madrid, January 10, 2019 - EDP Foundation recently held an event in Madrid to present the 23 projects selected for the EDP Solidaria 2018 program, which will distribute €600,000 for the implementation of various social improvement proposals. The projects were presented in the Rafael del Pino Auditorium at an event that was attended by the foundation’s president, Manuel Menéndez, as well as Luis Amado, chairman of EDP’s Supervisory Board; João Manso Neto, CEO of EDP Renováveis; Rui Teixeira, CEO of EDP Espanha; Francisco de Menezes, the Portuguese ambassador in Spain; and representatives from companies including Grupo IFA, Decathlon, Ahorramas, Leroy Merlin, Calidad Pascual and El Corte Inglés, among others.



The EDP Solidaria initiative inaugurated its fourth edition in 2018. The program's budget and the number of projects selected have increased significantly since its first edition, establishing it as one of EDP Foundation's most influential initiatives. Eleven projects were selected in 2015, with an initial endowment of €344,000. In 2018, 23 projects were approved and initiated, and will be implemented on a national scale in 2019 with a total contribution of €600,000. This figure represents a 74% increase in financial aid since EDP Solidaria began.



During his welcome speech, Manuel Menéndez highlighted the positive impact of this “new project that supports social transformation.” In his opinion, EDP Solidaria “responds to the fundamental goal of the foundation, which is to improve quality of life in general and to facilitate the social integration of the most disadvantaged members of society.” He went on to assure the attendees that “we are dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of society in local communities, and this [program] is a clear example of our commitment.”



More proposals submitted this year than ever before



This EDP Foundation program has been endorsed by the participation of various associations. Submissions were accepted throughout the month of March, during which 89 potential projects were presented—even more than the 76 submitted last year. After evaluating these proposals, 23 were selected. Of these, 10 are based in Asturias, 10 in Madrid, and one in the Basque Country, Cantabria and Aragon, respectively.



The selection committee was made up of representatives from various EDP Group business areas, as well as representatives from partner companies such as Hunosa, Industrial Química del Nalón and Hijos de Luis Rodríguez.



The implementation of these projects will be supervised by EDP volunteers, who will act as managers. It is estimated that the projects selected will benefit around 23,000 people.



Representatives from the 23 selected associations were also in attendance at the recent event in Madrid’s Rafael del Pino Auditorium.







Asturias




Una ciudad para todos, with the project, “Viviendas integradas, personas integradas” (“Integrated housing, integrated people”).

ES Retina Asturias, with the project, “CapAAPcítate. Formación de nuevas tecnologías accesibles para personas con baja visión y discapacidad visual” (“CapAAPcítate. New accessible technology training for the visually impaired”).

ASPACE Asturias, with the project, “Ampliación del centro residencial Aspace Asturias” (“Extension of the Aspace Asturias residential center”).

Asociación de Amigos contra la Droga, with the project, “Programa de tratamiento para personas con problemas de bebida—PPB—en régimen de centro de día” (“Project for the treatment of people with alcohol-abuse issues through a day center”).

Fundación C.E.S.P.A, Proyecto Hombre de Asturias Evaluar, with the project, “Apoyo a la inserción laboral de personas adictas en rehabilitación” (“Supporting the employability of addicts undergoing rehabilitation”).

The Parkinson Association of Asturias, with the project, “Escuela de Parkinson Asturias” (“Parkinson School of Asturias”).

Fundación Siloé, with the project, “Aula de Música de la Fundación Siloé” (“The Siloé Foundation’s Classroom of Music”).

The Asturian Multiple Sclerosis Association, with the project, “Rehabilitación virtual. Nuevos horizontes para la autonomía en el Esclerosis Múltiple” (“Virtual rehabilitation: New horizons for the autonomy of MS patients”).

Identidad Para Ellos y Ellas, with the project, “Dédalo” (“Daedalus”).

Asociación Cuantayá, with the project, “SALTO. Acompañamiento socioeducativo para la Transición a la Vida Adulta” (“JUMP. Socio-educational support for the transition to adulthood”).







Madrid




Asociación Madrileña de Inserción Social Aurrera, with the project, “EDP recupera tu espacio intercultural” (“EDP revives your intercultural space”).

AFANIAS, A. Pro Personas Discapacidad Intelectual, with the project, “Entre nosotras” (“Between us”).

SERCADE, with the project, “Programa educativo para la integración de la migración ‘Casa Común’” (“Education for the integration of ‘Common Home’ migration”).

Asociación Cultural la Kalle, with the project, “La FABLAB-TEKA Laboratorio de Fabricación Digital” (“The FABLAB-TEKA Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing”).

The Madrid Down Syndrome Foundation, with the project, “Emprendimiento Medio Ambiental Down Madrid” (“Environmental Entrepreneurship Down Madrid”).

The Madrid Asperger Association, with the project, “Intervención en contextos naturales para personas con síndrome de Asperger y/o TEA” (“Intervention in natural contexts for people with Asperger’s and/or autism”).

Apostólicas CJ – Comunidad de Obras Sociales, with the project, “Caja de herramientas. Mírame soy visible” (an awareness and innovation program for the detection and treatment of gender violence involving women over the age of 65 in municipalities of the Community of Madrid).

Fundación Ayuda en Acción, with the project, “STEPS: pasos para la inclusión de la infancia vulnerable” (“STEPS: steps for the inclusion of vulnerable children”).

Fundación Tomillo, with the project, “Renegación urbana: propuesta sostenible de empleo” (“Urban repudiation: sustainable employment proposal”).

Confraternidad Cancelaria de España (CONCAES), with the project, “Programa de responsabilización del delito y reparación del daño en sistema penintenciario” (“Program for crime accountability and reparations in the penitentiary system”).







Aragon




Asociación Católica Internacional Servicios Juvent, with the project, “In Via Digital.”







The Basque Country




Cáritas Diocesana de Bilbao, with the project, “HERRIZ-HERRI (pueblo a pueblo)” (“HERRIZ-HERRI: people to people”).







Andalusia




Religiosas de Jesús-María, with the project, “Invertir en la primera infancia es invertir en el futuro” (“Investment in early childhood is investment in the future”).









Call for EDP Solidaria 2019



The president of EDP Foundation presented its strategic plan for 2019 to 2021. He went on to announce the open call for EDP Solidarity 2019, which will have a budget of €600,000 and a submission period lasting from March 1 to 31.



As a general rule, submitted proposals must be related to the most pressing social needs, such as support for socially disadvantaged populations, the integration of communities at risk of social exclusion and the promotion of employment and entrepreneurship.



EDP Foundation Academy



Finally, Mr. Menéndez announced the commencement of the EDP Foundation Academy. This program is directed at the beneficiaries of all editions of EDP Solidarity, and aims to strengthen the organizational capabilities of the collaborating entities in order to reinforce their social impact.



To accomplish this goal, the EDP Foundation Academy will combine intensive training with mentorship sessions in a three-phase program, which will end next July.