Educational support project for 200 children

If we focus on Spain, we can see how the child poverty or social exclusion risk rate increased by 1.7 points in 2023, reaching 34%. “This means that more than 867,000 children and adolescents are living in severe material deprivation: 20% live in homes without adequate heating; 7% cannot afford to eat meat or fish every two days, and 43% live in households that are unable to cover unexpected expenses or even take a week-long vacation once a year,” explains the president.

For this reason, the child welfare organization has expanded its programs in Spain, increasing the number of children, adolescents, and young people supported by 46%, reaching 27,544. Additionally, it has assisted 4,044 families. This increase has primarily taken place in its prevention programs, which aim to improve the quality of life for children and adolescents at risk. Through its 31 day-care centers, nine family programs, and five early childhood education centers, as well as various therapeutic and educational activities, Aldeas supported 24,836 children, adolescents, and young people, along with 2,973 families in 2023.

Child Protection and Support for Youth

Aldeas continues to innovate to offer children and adolescents growing up separated from their families various care options that meet their specific needs, always with a rights-based approach and the aim of ensuring their well-being. In Spain, in 2023, nearly 50,000 children were deprived of parental care and placed under the care of public administrations. Thanks to its child protection efforts, Aldeas was able to offer a new home to 1,320 children and support 912 families through its various foster care programs, both family-based and residential. The organization operates eight children's villages (residential homes), six youth residences, an emergency shelter and assessment program, eight programs supporting foster care with extended and non-kin families, and a dedicated foster care program (AcogES+).

Aldeas' commitment to children and adolescents growing up in the protection system or living in vulnerable situations extends beyond their 18th birthday, supporting them until they achieve full social and professional integration. It operates eight youth support programs, which in 2023 helped 1,388 young people, offering them opportunities for education and vocational training, as well as housing, guidance, financial support, help with administrative tasks, and academic and career counseling.