The Regional Minister for Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality, Loles López, attended this Thursday, accompanied by the Government delegate, Aránzazu Martín, the Provincial Forum for Social Innovation in Almería, where she highlighted the almost 1.8 million euros allocated to 14 projects in this field in the province. At the event, aimed at social entities in Almería, the Minister praised the potential of the third sector and the commendable work they do by combining proximity and professionalism with new technologies.
One of the objectives of this forum is to bring together professionals, experts and social entities participating in the lines of subsidies for social transformation and innovation in social services for the year 2023 launched by the Ministry of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality and which are funded with European funds. Specifically, the province of Almería has 14 projects, eight of them for social innovation that have received 1.23 million euros and six for technological transformation that have had 505,000 euros, totaling almost 1.8 million euros.
In light of this, the Minister has highlighted the work and involvement of local entities and the third sector that have designed the projects, highlighting the good work and sensitivity of social services professionals. “With this forum we value the work of committed professionals, coordination and unity. Furthermore, knowledge of the different projects encourages help between each other, as well as knowledge,” continued López, who highlighted the high participation in this call for subsidies. In fact, throughout Andalusia 46.5 million have been allocated for a total of 303 projects.
Projects with soul
Technological advances, which are taking place at a dizzying speed, can improve care for the most vulnerable people. “With these tools and projects we fill new technologies with heart,” added the Minister, who highlighted “the soul and heart” of each of the initiatives presented. For this reason, she once again thanked the third sector.
Migrant minors
As for the initiatives promoted, in the province of Almería projects have been carried out aimed at improving the life and social inclusion of migrants, people with disabilities, among other social groups such as dependent people.
Among them, the project of the association Engloba Integración Laboral, Educativa y Social entitled ‘Programa principales de mentoría social con juventud ex-tuteladas’ stands out, which has received 681,000 euros. It seeks to respond to the demand of child and adolescent protection services to help boys and girls make their transition to adult life. The aim is to help these minors, once they become adults, to build their personal project.
As the councillor has pointed out, the reality of minors who migrate alone is “very worrying” and Engloba does very important work with the figure of mentors since on this path of change towards adult life, full of insecurities and uncertainties, mentors will be companions of young people aged 18 to 23 without family support in Andalusia”, so they serve as “back-up and support” for them.
At this point, it should also be noted that of the six social transformation projects subsidized in Almería, five are aimed at entities that work with people with disabilities, which will greatly streamline the management and day-to-day care of these people and their families. These are initiatives such as those of the Poco Frecuente Foundation, the Murgi Regional Association, Aspapros, the Almería Association for Cerabral Damage (Vivir) or the Verdiblanca Association.
Also in the field of disability and dependency, there is a pioneering project in Andalusia, such as the intermediate care project of the Almería Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities (FAAM), which began with a similar project launched by the Ministries of Social Inclusion and Health to prevent dependency.
“All these projects have something in common: they are examples of how new technologies, innovation and new models of social intervention can improve care for the most vulnerable people. The combination of technology and heart multiplies the good results,” he concluded.