Catalonia already has 15,918 patrons, a number that was not known until today and that could reach 21,000 people if you count the foundations registered with the Protectorate of the Generalitat, they say from the Catalan Coordinator of Foundations (CCF). The barrier of 2,000 foundations active in the Catalan territory has been overcome and, with the aim of promoting their work, the CCF has just drawn up the Practical Guide for an effective board of trustees.
No one doubts the indispensable task of foundations in a society in which needs, especially social ones, are increasing. Because this area and that of health are two of the areas to which the more than 15,000 employers and workers of the 2,098 foundations dedicate their efforts. Culture, education, research, technology, the environment are also the subject of his work.
“Foundations are essential to cover needs not covered by public administrations”, explains Eugènia Bieto, president of the CCF. “They are a sign of maturity and responsibility of the citizens”, he points out.
In addition to this social function, from this coordinator they argue that the foundations are “generators” of thousands of jobs. Today, in Catalonia, 96,399 paid workers work in foundations and 38,040 on a voluntary basis. So “they represent a human capital of great value”, points out Bieto.
And to encourage those people who are considering becoming part of a foundation, the CCF is presenting this Wednesday at the Pedrera de Barcelona the Practical Guide for an effective board of trustees. The idea is to advise those interested so that they can carry out transparent, effective, responsible management and “with the common good as the principle of decision-making”.
The president of the organization explains that the guide was “a demand and at the same time a need of the manager” that will give “tools” to the trustees, especially the presidencies “to face the current challenges and lead the foundations towards a bright future and with more impact”.
A lot has happened since the first foundations – created in the Middle Ages – to the more than 2,000 that Catalonia has today. Some of which, explains Bieto, have been “at the service of the territory” for more than five centuries.
The altruistic feeling of the people who drive them are the engine of a gear that is, in addition, a “cohesion agent”, defends the president of the CCF.
