The German Sparkassenstiftung for international Cooperation (DSIK) has signed an agreement with the Spanish ”la Caixa” Foundation for the promotion of the financial inclusion of older people in cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The signing ceremony took place in Barcelona and was attended by the Chairman of the "la Caixa" Foundation, Isidro Fainé, and the Chairman of the German Sparkassenstiftung, Heinrich Haasis.
German Sparkassenstiftung and ”la Caixa” Foundation sign agreement to promote financial inclusion in Latin America
Under the agreement, the "la Caixa" Foundation will join the international "Silver Finance" program, which aims to improve and extend the financial and social inclusion of the population above 60 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project has a global budget of 2.2 million dollars, of which la Caixa Foundation will contribute 345,000 dollars.
Within the initiative, a call for proposals will be opened. At least 8 initiatives will be selected to be supported for a period up to three years. These will be targeted mainly to social innovators and leaders in the field of aging such as foundations, social entities or startups that promote financial inclusion, as well as financial intermediaries from Latin America and the Caribbean, including microfinance institutions, banks, savings cooperatives and fintechs.
Expandable on the WSBI Social and Philanthropic Council
This collaboration is expected to be extended to other members of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) through the recently created Social and Philanthropic Council, chaired by Isidro Fainé, chairman of ”la Caixa” Foundation. Helmut Schleweis, former president of the Association of German Savings Banks (Sparkassen) and chairman of the board of trustees of DSIK, is the honorary chairman of this Council.
The main functions of the new Council are to lead and promote the social work carried out by the WSBI members, making visible the initiatives in the social field and reinforcing their role; to promote the exchange of experience and knowledge, and to enhance cooperation between members to develop joint initiatives.
The Silver Finance program is an initiative of the German Sparkassenstiftung. ”la Caixa” Foundation, as an expert entity in supporting older people to contribute to active and healthy aging, will deliver its experience and knowledge to achieve greater financial and social inclusion of the elderly in the participating countries.