Mataró Named 2026 Capital of Spain's Social Economy, Spotlighting Youth and Democratic Values
Mataró’s 2026 designation as Spain’s Capital of Social Economy spotlights governmental investment, youth engagement, and democratic economic values.
- • Mataró is the first non-provincial capital named Capital Española de la Economía Social for 2026.
- • The Spanish government has invested over 2.5 billion euros in social economy initiatives.
- • The Youth Network for Social Economy was launched to increase young people’s awareness and involvement.
- • Sira Rego emphasized social economy as a democratic political response essential for sustaining life in times of social and ecological crisis.
Key details
Mataró has been designated the 2026 Capital Española de la Economía Social, marking a significant recognition for the city as it becomes the first non-provincial capital to hold this title. The announcement was made by Yolanda Díaz, Spain's Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, during an event hosted at TecnoCampus auditorium in Mataró. Díaz highlighted the city’s deep cooperative traditions and praised the country’s social economy sector, which includes around 70,000 entities such as cooperatives, labor societies, and mutual organizations.
The Spanish government has invested more than 2.5 billion euros through a strategic plan aimed at fostering a productive and sustainable economic fabric based on democratic values such as solidarity, feminism, and territorial cohesion. Díaz referenced a report by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, featured during the event, which emphasized the need for the European internal market to prioritize and fund social economy initiatives.
An important development was the launch of the Youth Network for Social Economy, aimed at engaging young people and promoting awareness of democratic economic models. Sira Rego, Minister of Youth and Childhood, underscored youth's crucial role in transforming economic models by demanding meaningful employment and choices that integrate work and life. Rego emphasized that social economy embodies democracy and shared responsibility in contrast to hierarchical and competition-driven systems, describing it as essential for confronting ecological and social crises.
Mataró’s mayor, David Bote, expressed hopes that this recognition would enhance responsible economic practices locally, while Catalonia's Regional Economy Minister, Alícia Romero, noted that 40-50% of activities by the Institut Català de Finances focus on social economy projects. Several upcoming events are planned, including the Catalan Work Congress and initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, reinforcing Mataró’s commitment to social economy leadership.
This growing sector in Spain reflects a broader political and social commitment to an economic model that prioritizes life, democracy, and sustainability, positioning Spain as a leading figure in Europe's social economy landscape.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
