Social Impact Award 2023
CaixaBank and the purpose of guaranteeing a dignified future
"It is essential that talent flourish wherever it is, regardless of the economic and social situation."
- Mar Santana, commercial director of companies at CaixaBank
Social responsibility has become a priority for many companies, which are increasingly aware of how they can improve people's lives through it. This is something that CaixaBank is well aware of, and thanks to 'Projects with Soul' it managed to win in the social impact category at the latest edition of the Traveling for Happiness awards.
As part of its social commitment, this initiative has become an outstanding example of best practices in the tourism sector. Through three key initiatives, the company has demonstrated that sustainability is not only an ideal, but above all a reality that can drive economic growth, significantly improving people's quality of life.
Transforming lives through work
One of the main initiatives that CaixaBank has launched to generate a significant social impact is INCORPORA, a program that has achieved the socio-labor insertion of people in vulnerable situations, especially in the hotel sector. More than 1,500 men and women have joined the industry, which has made a significant change in their lives.
Behind that number there are hundreds of stories of overcoming and growth starring people who have found a job opportunity with which, in addition, they have contributed to the social fabric of their communities. In the words of the commercial director of companies at CaixaBank, Mar Santana, "it is essential that a person has access to a decent job in order to develop, not only professionally, but also personally and in the family environment. This helps to get out of certain environments of social exclusion".
That people have the opportunity to access a stable and dignified job is key, something for which INCORPORA sows the seed from the moment it commits to providing training, opening the doors to a series of companies that offer different possibilities for professional development, allowing them to continue learning.
"It is essential that talent flourishes wherever it is, regardless of the economic and social situation," adds Santana, who is aware that the hotel sector suffers, for its part, from an evident shortage of employees, something INCORPORA is working to try to alleviate.
With INCORPORA, Caixabank has achieved the social and labor insertion of more than 1,500 people in recent years. Photo: Caixabank
The importance of generating a positive impact
Another of CaixaBank 's outstanding projects is REUTILÍZAME, an initiative that allows companies, whether they are customers or not, to donate their surplus items in good condition, contributing to the reduction of waste and collaborating with social entities dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups. Santana explains that "with this we benefit people in a more delicate economic situation and associations in need, while at the same time improving energy efficiency by reducing CO2 consumption". Ultimately, the idea is to establish a direct bridge between business surplus and community needs, generating a positive impact on both the business and social spheres.
The company's commitment to a more responsible future is evident. In a current context in which sustainability has gone from being a trend to a pressing need, CaixaBank is positioned as a key player in building a society that contributes positively to the world in which we live. This is reflected in DUALIZA, a program focused on education and vocational training, developed in collaboration with educational centers and companies to promote projects within the framework of work-linked training. The program highlights the company's commitment to training professionals who will lead a more sustainable and ethical tourism in the future.
The commercial director of companies at CaixaBank tells us that they are going to allocate "64,000 million to finance and promote similar initiatives together with the collaboration we carry out with the La Caixa Foundation. It is a very capillary action, developed through multiple initiatives and reaching all our customer segments, from individuals to the self-employed, including SMEs and large companies". Transforming lives and communities, setting a milestone in the design of a world that is increasingly aware of its impact, is one of the objectives of a financial institution that not only thinks in economic terms, but also in terms of social responsibility, placing value on the benefits that all of this has for society.
DUALIZA is the commitment of Spain's largest financial institution to vocational training as a way to move towards a better educated society. Photo: Caixabank