The president of the Spanish Banking Association and the AEB Foundation, Alejandra Kindelán, today defended “a great pact for financial education” that would make it compulsory education: “An educated, informed citizenry with its own criteria is one capable of making responsible decisions and is better prepared to face the challenges of a more complex world”.
During the second edition of the AEB Foundation’s Alcanza Awards, he stressed that “in an increasingly digitalized world, having basic and practical financial knowledge helps us to deal with fraud and scams. Financial education is a tool for personal autonomy, freedom and security”.
Alejandra Kindelán also highlighted the extensive social work carried out by the banking sector: AEB banks and their foundations allocated 1,972 million euros in 2025 and reached almost 16 million beneficiaries, according to a report prepared with EY. You can consult it here.
With these awards, the AEB Foundation seeks to give visibility to financial education, digital training and cybersecurity initiatives with a real impact on people’s daily lives, especially those that offer practical tools to make decisions with greater security and favor effective inclusion.
The projects awarded in 2026 were those of the Vivofácil Foundation, the Colexio Profesional de Enxeñaría en Informática de Galicia; and the EMET Foundation. They were awarded in the categories of elderly people; children and young people; and inclusion and people with disabilities, respectively.
During the closing ceremony, the Secretary General of the Treasury, Paula Conthe, pointed out that “in an increasingly digitalized context, financial education is the most effective shield against fraud and the best tool to help improve people’s lives. Projects such as those awarded today are key to support young people, the elderly and the most vulnerable groups in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their finances, favoring inclusion and social progress”.
OLDER PERSONS
Winner: Vivofácil Foundation – Technological autonomy and digitization to bridge the digital divide for the elderly
“We receive this award with gratitude and responsibility. True innovation is not just about creating technology, but ensuring that no one is left behind. Thanks to this award, we will continue to connect seniors in a world that also belongs to them.”
The Vivofácil Foundation focuses its activities on the prevention of unwanted loneliness, the reconciliation of personal, family and work life, the inclusion in the labor market of people with disabilities or at risk of social exclusion, and diversity management.
The finalist projects in this category were Fundación Esplai Ciudadanía Comprometida – TIC y Mayores; and Asociación Salud Mental Huelva – De la Sierra a la Pantalla.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Winner: Colexio Profesional de Enxeñaría en Informática de Galicia (CPEIG) – Navega con Rumbo por el Ciberespacio
“This award recognizes 15 years of training more than 250,000 children in a safe and responsible use of the Internet. It encourages us to continue working to ensure that digital education is the best tool for protection and the future”.
Since its foundation, CPEIG focuses on training and awareness of digital skills, data protection and safe use of the Internet, especially in the field of primary and secondary education.
The finalists in this category were Fundación Soñar Despierto – Sueños que cambian vidas: autonomía financiera y digital para jóvenes sin red; and SECOT – Nadie solo en su camino profesional.
INCLUSION AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Winner: EMET Foundation – Mujeres que empiezan de Cero (Women Starting from Zero)
“Our project helps migrant women who arrive in Spain with minors in their care to learn about the financial system, to have economic autonomy and their social and labor insertion through the game of Monopoly”.
Throughout its history, it has developed pioneering programs in the areas of addictions, childhood, social inclusion and migration, working from a comprehensive approach that combines psychological care, social intervention, training and accompaniment towards autonomy.
The finalists in this category were Fundación Gema Canales – Conecta+ Finanzas Accesibles: Financial and digital inclusion for people with communication disabilities; and Asociación Salud Mental Palencia – Bienestar Financiero Rural: Mental Health and Economic Autonomy.
