The Fundación IBERDROLA has announced the second edition of its social aid programme Energy for Solidarity, following the huge success of its first edition, which benefited 63 institutions.

The programme’s goals include contributing to meet basic needs and social inclusion and integration into the labour market of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. It also aims to play a part in the fight against climate change and protecting the environment, as well as promoting other projects of interest that improve the quality of people’s lives in those regions where IBERDROLA operates.

The Fundación IBERDROLA will take into consideration three types of projects. Firstly, those which are aimed at fighting poverty and social exclusion, focused on the following groups: the long-term unemployed, people in a situation of helplessness, victims of gender violence, immigrants, the disabled, sick people with no access to proper treatment, people with serious or degenerative illnesses, people with addictions and, in general, those who are unable to meet their basic needs.

Secondly, the programme will take into account those initiatives focused on the conservation of biodiversity and natural areas, the commitment to sustainable development through the use of renewable energy sources, efficient resource and waste management, and green job creation. The aforementioned groups of people must participate in these projects.

And thirdly, the Fundación IBERDROLA will consider health care or socio-educational actions that are aligned with both the institution’s foundational objectives and the Group’s values.

Applicants wishing to participate in the Energy for Solidarity programme must be non-for-profit private institutions declared of public interest. They can submit their proposals until 3 April. The Fundación IBERDROLA will fund up to €20,000 per project, without exceeding 50% of the project’s total amount.

The initiatives selected by the programme must be carried out between July 2011 and June 2012. Interested parties can obtain all the required information on the following website: www.fundacioniberdrola.org.

About the Fundación IBERDROLA

With Ignacio Galán as Founding Trustee and Manuel Marín as Chairman, the IBERDROLA Foundation focuses its activity on three major areas: moving towards a sustainable energy model, cultural development in countries where the Group operates, and cooperation and solidarity.

In addition to the Energy for Solidarity programme, the Foundation carries out various activities in the fields of biodiversity conservation and support for young researchers in R&D programmes, as well as initiatives aimed at promoting professional excellence in the energy sector, such as the scholarships for postgraduate studies in energy and the environment.

The Fundación IBERDROLA also carries out various projects focused on the preservation of the historical and artistic heritage, including the Atlantic Romanesque Restoration Plan, which will make it possible to restore 33 churches around the Douro River area, and the sponsorship of the Prado Museum Restoration Programme.