La Caixa Foundation
Grants for socioeconomic development in subject areas that include agriculture, fair trade, water and sanitation, and mitigation of natural disasters
Principal Office: : Spain
La Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (“la Caixa”) is the pension fund of Barcelona, in existence for over 100 years. La Caixa Foundation is the largest private foundation in Spain, and among the largest in Europe.
In addition to its grant making for Spain, La Caixa funds a program of international cooperation to work towards eliminating poverty in countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
International Cooperation (Program of Socioeconomic Development). Thematic areas in the international program are self-development (e.g., micro-enterprises), child vaccination, responses to humanitarian crises, training and capacity building, and fair trade.
Past funded projects under this program include initiatives in agriculture and natural resources that feature strong social components.
- Social and economic improvements in small-scale agriculture, livestock raising, watershed management, and related rural development;
- Fair trade in agricultural products (e.g., coffee, cacao, sugar, tea);
- Water and sanitation at the community level;
- Mitigation and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters.
About international cooperation
Opportunities in the Foundation’s international cooperation are generally open to experienced nonprofit organizations in Spain who work in collaboration with nonprofit partners in eligible developing countries.
APPLICATION: La Caixa’s international cooperation normally includes an annual call for proposals on socioeconomic development.
Each call describes the purpose, objectives, and application process for grants. Information includes eligibility criteria; priority countries; content and format of proposals; budget guidelines; and calendar deadlines.
Link to calls for proposals
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
To date, La Caixa’s international cooperation has funded projects in the regions indicated below.
Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands
South Asia
North Africa and Middle East
Sub-Saharan Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Note: Each call for proposals provides guidance about which countries are eligible, or have priority.
La Caixa’s website is available in Catalan, Spanish, and partially in English.
The Foundation shows its international grants in a world map.
La Caixa supports its employees to volunteer as providers of technical assistance in developing countries. NGOs and other counterparts in the developing countries identify what skills they are seeking.
La Caixa’s grant-making program for environment focuses on conservation of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, waste recycling, environmental education, and social integration into environmental projects. This program is mainly for activities in Spain.
September 2021