The Changing Lives program, an initiative by the Endesa Foundation in collaboration with the Integra Foundation, has been introduced for the first time in the Canary Islands with a particular focus on the island of Tenerife. This program aims to promote employability for individuals at risk of labour exclusion.
Since its inception in 2016, Changing Lives has provided new perspectives to 3,055 individuals in cities like Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. In this new edition, the program aims to reach a total of 415 participants, with a focus on assisting 50 residents of Tenerife.
The inaugural event took place at the Endesa headquarters in Tenerife, at the El Mayorazgo Industrial Estate, and was attended by Pablo Casado Reboiro, the General Manager of Endesa in the Canary Islands; Raquel Rubio, Director of Communication and Institutional Relations at Fundación Integra; along with other project stakeholders and collaborators.
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Beneficiaries of the program are selected in collaboration with various NGOs, social institutions, and municipal social services. These participants will have access to training courses led by volunteer workers from Endesa.
These courses cover key skills such as CV writing and interview techniques, essential for re-entering the workforce.
A key element of Changing Lives is the involvement of Endesa volunteers, totalling 275 members to date. The program bridges the knowledge and experiences of these volunteers with the real needs of the participants, enriching the process of labour integration.
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Pablo Casado believes that in order to build a better society, “it is essential to work from the standpoint of equality of opportunities, ensuring that no talent is lost along the way and that no one feels excluded from the workplace. This is where ‘Changing Lives’ comes in, and we are delighted to welcome this project to the Canary Islands”.
On the other hand, Raquel Rubio, Director of Communication and Institutional Relations at Fundación Integra, expressed appreciation to Endesa, its Foundation, and the social entities involved in this initiative. “This program is an example of the significant impact that the alliance between the social and business sectors has in changing the lives of individuals who have faced challenging situations.”
Fernando Endeiza, representing the Endesa Foundation, highlighted “the vast contribution of volunteers who, by dedicating part of their time to this initiative, achieve the program’s goal of ‘changing the lives’ of beneficiaries by helping them find employment and thus avoiding the risk of social exclusion.”
Raquel Rubio from Fundación Integra also acknowledged the significant impact of collaboration between the social and business sectors in the tangible change in the lives of the participants.
The Changing Lives program will run until it reaches its target number of participants for this year, with the possibility of expansion and continuation in future editions depending on the success and reception of the initiative.
Established in 1998, the Endesa Foundation is dedicated to projects that promote education, culture, and environmental sustainability, reflecting the company’s social commitment. More information available at Endesa Foundation.
Since 2001, Integra Foundation has bridged the gap between individuals at risk of social exclusion and the labour market, facilitating over 22,500 jobs.
This collaboration between the Endesa Foundation and Integra Foundation not only aims to change the lives of individuals but also to strengthen the social and economic cohesion of the Canary Islands, especially during times of recovery and post-pandemic reconstruction.
