Fundación ONCE

Fundación ONCE
Name	Fundación ONCE
Formation	1988
Headquarters	Madrid
Region	Spain
Type	Foundation

Fundación ONCE is a Spanish foundation established in 1988 focused on disability rights, social inclusion and employment for people with disabilities. It operates across Spain in coordination with national institutions, regional governments and international organizations, promoting accessibility, vocational training and research. The foundation engages with corporations, universities and civil society through programs and partnerships aimed at integrating disability perspectives into policy and practice.

History

Fundación ONCE was created in 1988 amid shifts in Spanish social policy and the development of welfare institutions such as the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social, Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales, Comunidad de Madrid and regional administrations like the Generalitat de Catalunya. Early collaboration involved public bodies including the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, the Cortes Generales and municipal authorities such as the Ayuntamiento de Madrid. The foundation’s evolution paralleled European developments led by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe on disability rights, notably following instruments like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Spanish legislation such as the Ley General de la Discapacidad and reforms shaped by the Tribunal Constitucional. Over decades Fundación ONCE engaged with international actors including the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme and networks like the European Disability Forum and Disabled Peoples’ International. Its history intersected with civic organizations such as the Cruz Roja Española, Comisiones Obreras, Confederación Empresarial Española and trade associations like the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales, along with research centers at universities including the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Universidad de Barcelona.

Mission and Activities

The foundation’s mission targets barriers faced by persons with disabilities and aligns with international frameworks developed by the United Nations and European institutions like the European Commission Directorate-General for Employment. Activities encompass policy advocacy alongside program delivery with partners such as the Banco Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Fundación La Caixa and philanthropic entities like the Fundación Bancaria "la Caixa". Fundación ONCE also collaborates with cultural institutions including the Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía and Teatro Real to promote accessible culture, and with transport authorities like Renfe and Aena to improve mobility. It coordinates campaigns with media outlets including RTVE and publishers such as Grupo Prisa to increase visibility. The foundation interfaces with legal institutions such as the Tribunal Supremo and advocacy organizations like CERMI and Plena Inclusión to influence reforms.

Employment and Social Inclusion Programs

Employment programs connect beneficiaries with employment services of agencies like the Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal and private firms including Inditex, Iberdrola, Telefonica, Acciona and Mapfre. Initiatives involve sheltered employment networks alongside supported employment models promoted via collaborations with the European Social Fund, Fundación Adecco and disability enterprises tied to the Confederación Empresarial Española de la Economía Social. Social inclusion actions coordinate with the Ministerio de Sanidad, the Ministerio de Derechos Sociales and regional employment services such as the Servei d'Ocupació de Catalunya. Training pathways link with vocational education providers like the Instituto Nacional de Cualificaciones and consortiums with corporations including Repsol and Endesa. Programs have been evaluated by academic partners at institutions like the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad de Sevilla and research institutes such as the Instituto de Estudios Fiscales.

Accessibility and Universal Design Initiatives

Fundación ONCE promotes accessibility standards developed in concert with European bodies including the European Committee for Standardization and Spanish standardization entities such as the Asociación Española de Normalización. Projects target built environment accessibility in coordination with municipal planning offices like the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona and infrastructure operators like Metro de Madrid and Adif. Digital accessibility work references guidelines from the World Wide Web Consortium and partnerships with technology companies including Microsoft, Google, Apple and IBM to implement assistive technologies. Cultural accessibility programs involve museums such as the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and events like the Festival de Cannes through international networks. Mobility and tourism accessibility initiatives liaise with airlines represented by International Air Transport Association and tourism organizations like World Tourism Organization.

Research, Innovation and Training

Research programs have been carried out with universities such as the Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Salamanca, Universidad de Zaragoza and technical institutes like the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Innovation labs engage with start-ups incubators affiliated to Madrid Emprende and accelerators tied to Barcelona Activa, and with corporate R&D centers in firms like Siemens, Philips and Honeywell. Training schemes include partnerships with the Escuela de Organización Industrial, vocational colleges and international scholarship programs through organizations like the Fulbright Commission and Erasmus+. Publications and conferences have been presented at venues such as the Universidad Pontificia Comillas and international forums including the World Economic Forum and International Congress on Disability.

Governance and Funding

Governance structures interact with institutional stakeholders including the Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles, Asociación de Paralíticos Cerebrales, Federación de Asociaciones de Personas con Discapacidad Física and advisory bodies linked to the Ministerio de Inclusión. Funding derives from social contributions tied to the ONCE lottery system, corporate donations from firms like BBVA Foundation, public grants from bodies such as the Fondo Social Europeo and private philanthropic partners including Fundación Rafael del Pino and Fundación Botín. Oversight includes auditing by entities like the Tribunal de Cuentas and collaboration with legal advisors from firms present in Spanish judicial circuits including the Colegio de Abogados de Madrid. International cooperation involves partnerships with the European Investment Bank and multilateral agencies such as the World Bank.

Category:Foundations based in Spain