Save the Children and Fundación Occident extend their cooperation to promote education in Spain

"Fundación Occident becomes a strategic partner of Save the Children and will support the IMPULSA programme."

• Fundación Occident becomes a strategic ally of Save the Children and will support the IMPULSA programme with funding of 300,000 euros over three years, benefiting 300 children in Catalonia, Valencia and the Basque Country, who will receive personalised additional schooling. 
• The signing of the agreement, which marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two organisations, highlights the involvement of Fundación Occident in the fight against educational failure and child poverty

Save the Children and Fundación Occident are taking another step forward to promote education in Spain, renewing and extending the cooperation between them, having worked together in this area since 2020. Over the next three years, as a strategic ally, Fundación Occident will contribute 300,000 euros to the IMPULSA programme for the reinforcement of education in some of the centres where the NGO works in Catalonia, Valencia and the Basque Country. This support will provide regular personalised additional schooling for 300 children in vulnerable situations in the three regions. 

The agreement was signed by Laura Halpern Serra, Vice-President of Fundación Occident, and Andrés Conde, CEO of Save the Children Spain, marking a significant milestone in a relationship that is growing as it enters its fourth year. The alliance goes back to the initial support of GCO (Grupo Catalana Occidente), through its Fundación Occident (formerly Fundación Jesús Serra), for the “A tu lado” programme during the pandemic. Since then, GCO and its Foundation have supported Save the Children in its programmes to combat educational failure and child poverty, financing social and educational support for more than 650 children. From the outset, the involvement of the company's employees has been an important aspect of the scheme, enhancing the scope and impact of the alliance.

“We are working to help thousands of children access school for the first time, to improve the quality of teaching they receive in the classroom and to ensure that school is always a place where everyone feels safe and included. Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty, and alliances such as the one we have with Fundación Occident, which grow and increase their impact year after year, are fundamental to reaching more families,” says Andrés Conde. 

Recently, Fundación Occident was able to learn first-hand about the work that the organisation does in one of the schools in Trinitat Vella (Barcelona). “We met children aged between 12 and 16 who have older siblings who were there before, received educational support from Save the Children and are now studying at university or working. They see it as a safe space providing all-round support, where they can do their homework, socialise or get help with official procedures,” explains Ignacio Gallardo- Bravo, Managing Director of Fundación Occident. "This alliance allows us to reach the neediest families, working with an organisation which is at the forefront in helping children", comments Laura Halpern, Vice-President of the Foundation.

About Save the Children  

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation promoting and defending the rights of children and young people. For over 100 years, it has helped ensure that children learn and grow in safety. The organisation currently works in more than 115 countries.

It has been working in Spain for over 30 years with programmes to assist the most vulnerable children, focusing on those at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Through its programmes, it provides comprehensive care for children and their families so that the economic situation or social exclusion affecting them does not prevent them from enjoying their rights and fulfilling their potential.