The ”la Caixa” Foundation becomes first CBA Custodian Member
The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance is pleased to announce that the Spanish the ”la Caixa” Foundation has become its first CBA Custodian Member, reflecting a shared commitment to the transition towards a nature-first economy.
The agreement was signed in Spain on 10 June by CBA CEO Marc Palahí and deputy general manager of Corporate Affairs at the ”la Caixa” Foundation, Sergi Loughney.
Marc Palahí said: “We are extremely grateful for the Foundation’s commitment to our vision and are proud to welcome them as our inaugural Custodian Member. We are very much looking forward to working together with the ”la Caixa” Foundation, which is the largest foundation in Spain and one of the most prominent globally, given their strong interest around the topic of wildfires prevention and landscape regeneration and value chain creation in a Mediterranean context.”
Established by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020, the CBA is a unique, diverse, multi-stakeholder platform. The CBA implements ‘Living Labs’ to demonstrate scalable, on-the-ground blueprints that holistically regenerate landscapes, supporting resilient supply chains and local communities.
CBA Custodian Members are organisations with the deepest level of commitment to the CBA vision, mission and principles, confirmed by a substantial financial contribution. They have a proven commitment to sustainability and belong to a sector which has the potential to have a transformative impact.
Sergi Loughney said: “We are very proud to join the CBA as Custodian Members. The CBA is an opportunity for us to learn and support, with our more than 100 years of experience, the nature-transition of our economy. We are especially interested in working with the CBA to address the accelerating problem of wildfires and water-related disturbances such droughts and floods, which are the result of the interconnected climate and nature crises.”
The ”la Caixa” Foundation manages welfare projects promoting programmes, actions, studies, supports and equipment, individually or collectively, to contribute to the progress of individuals and society, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable groups. With over 110 years of history, the ”la Caixa” Foundation maintains a budget of 655 million euros in 2025, and in 2024, the Foundation assisted more than 235,000 beneficiaries in Spain and Portugal through direct social intervention programmes. Over the past decade, the Foundation has invested a total of more than 5 billion euros to the development of social, research, educational and cultural initiatives, aiming to contribute to the betterment of society as a whole and especially of the most vulnerable groups.
More information
The “la Caixa” Foundation: Over a Century Building a Better World
The “la Caixa” Foundation, established in 1904, aims to provide opportunities for those most in need to contribute to building a fairer and more equitable society. It is the largest private foundation in Spain and one of the most prominent globally.
Its primary focus is on social programs that address major contemporary challenges, such as promoting employment among disadvantaged groups, combating child poverty, supporting people with advanced illnesses, and encouraging active and healthy aging. Other strategic areas include medical research, excellence in education, culture, and promoting equality of opportunity—all vital for progress.
