Projects

This project explored the growing issue of loneliness in Spain, which is increasingly seen as a "pandemic of the 21st century." It aimed to understand its causes and impact, particularly among vulnerable groups, while examining the effectiveness of awareness campaigns. The study focused on the general population in Spain and participants in the CRECE project, which includes homeless individuals, the elderly, at-risk youth, women facing social challenges, and those with mental health issues.

Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the research measured the prevalence of loneliness, identified risk factors, and developed a "Loneliness Thermometer" to assess an individual's likelihood of experiencing loneliness. The findings highlighted the need for community-based solutions to combat social isolation and strengthen social cohesion. The project provides valuable insights for creating effective policies and interventions aimed at addressing loneliness in modern society.

This project evaluated a pilot program aimed at improving the social and labor inclusion of individuals receiving the Minimum Basic Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital) in Spain. The program addressed barriers such as limited education, health issues, and difficulty balancing work and family life. It offered tailored interventions, including psychological support, skills training (basic and digital), and job market orientation, with the goal of enhancing employability and personal autonomy for participants.

Using a "theory of change" framework, the program evaluated its impact through randomized participant selection, ensuring causality. The program successfully achieved its goals of improving personal autonomy and employability, driven by improvements in resilience, psychological health, digital skills, and job-seeking activity. However, there was no improvement in basic skills or knowledge of local resources.

This project examined the effectiveness of Spain's Minimum Basic Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital) in alleviating poverty among the country’s Roma population, one of the most excluded groups in Spanish society. The study estimated the reach of the Miniumum Basic Income, identified barriers, and proposed more effective anti-poverty policies. 

The findings show that while the Minimum Basic Income has made strides in addressing poverty, its coverage and ability to reduce poverty remain limited. The study highlights the obstacles Roma families face in accessing the Basic Income and emphasizes the need for policy adjustments to better meet the needs of this vulnerable group. The results suggest that, with the right decisions, the Minimum Basic Income has significant potential to reach more Roma households and improve its effectiveness in combating poverty in this community.

This study provided a clear overview of the living conditions in slums and substandard housing in Spain, particularly those inhabited by the Roma population, and highlighted the main issues to address when developing policies to combat this phenomenon. Nearly 700 residents from 26 informal settlements across Spain were surveyed to gather data.

The analysis focused on the material conditions of these settlements, which revealed physical and social exclusion, such as lack of accessibility, poor infrastructure, inadequate housing, and limited access to basic services. It also examined the ethnic-racial composition of the settlements, as well as other dimensions of social exclusion, including poverty levels, education, and lack of employment opportunities. Additionally, the study identified potential instances of discrimination based on residents' perceptions.

This study explored the characteristics of caregivers of minors in Castilla y León, focusing on both professional caregivers with certified competencies and non-professional caregivers. It also analyzed paid and unpaid caregivers. The findings provide a snapshot of the studied sample rather than a representative picture of caregiving in the region.

The results show that most caregivers are women. Professional caregivers often work under better conditions and in specialized roles, such as education or care for children with special needs. In contrast, non-professional caregivers tend to be older, have lower educational levels, and face greater barriers to accessing training or formal employment. Certifying the skills of non-professional caregivers based on their experience could help reduce socioeconomic inequality and support those in vulnerable situations, provided certifications address their specific needs. Future research should explore the barriers preventing these caregivers from pursuing formal education in childcare.

The objectives of the KALAHI-CIDSS program, a nationwide community-driven development project in the Philippines, were to reduce poverty, improve local governance, and foster social capital. The program paired community training with block grants to address self-identified needs at the barangay level, mainly through infrastructure projects. 

The findings at the interim stage showed successes in improving transport, education, and water infrastructure, which reduced travel time and costs and increased school enrollment. However, the program had limited impact on long-term poverty reduction and governance changes. While it improved local government responsiveness and community participation, it did not significantly influence broader governance or resilience to hardship. Despite these challenges, residents in KALAHI-CIDSS areas expressed high satisfaction, and the program positively affected participation in community organizations.