The Naturgy Foundation recognizes, through its Award for the Best Social Initiative in the Energy Field, projects that contribute to a more inclusive energy transition. In its seventh edition, The award, worth 100,000 euros, went to “Sustainable Opportunities”, an initiative of the Novaterra Foundation aimed at facilitating access to employment for people in vulnerable situations in sectors linked to the energy transition.
In the opinion of the jury, the initiative combines technical training, job intermediation and awareness-raising through personalized itineraries. In its last year of activity, The program has directly benefited more than 300 people and has reached, through workshops and other informative actions, more than 11,000, contributing to improving the employability and quality of life of especially vulnerable groups
Accesit against energy poverty
The award also includes a second prize of 50,000 euros, which in this edition has gone to Asociación Socaire for “Homes that deserve to be inhabited.” The project improves the living conditions of families in a situation of energy poverty through audits, technical reforms in homes and training in responsible consumption. The results are an average saving of 22% on the energy bill and a notable improvement in thermal comfort and health of participating homes.
The delivery ceremony was attended, among others, by the president of the Naturgy Foundation, Rafael Villaseca, and its general director, María Eugenia Coronado, along with Susana Camarero, first vice president and counselor of Housing, Employment, Youth and Equality of the Generalitat Valenciana. Camarero highlighted the role of energy “when it is put at the service of those who need it most, reducing inequalities, improving the quality of life of families and contributing to a more just society.” The councilor also took the opportunity to thank the foundation for its involvement with the Valencian Community through “Adding Energies for Valencia”, the program with which Naturgy has supported the recovery of the municipalities affected by DANA and which has already benefited more than 40,000 people.
Nine finalists with social impact
In addition to the two main awards, The jury has awarded 10,000 euros each to nine finalist projects for their contribution to social transformation through energy. These include “Energy at the service of educational well-being”, by the Aucavi Foundation, focused on the energy rehabilitation of a center for people with autism; “Green at You”, by Fundación Acción contra el Hambre, which promotes training in renewables and the employability of vulnerable groups; and the collective self-consumption project of the Energía sin Fronteras Foundation, which facilitates access to clean energy in the Polígono Sur de Sevilla.
They have also been distinguished by “Energy at the service of children’s health”, from the Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation, aimed at guaranteeing energy efficient environments for families with seriously ill minors; the “Family financial education and energy saving program” of the Isadora Duncan Foundation, focused on advising vulnerable households; and the “Green Employment Hub in Madrid”, by Konecta Foundation, dedicated to job placement in sustainable sectors. Completing the list are “Fire Prevention and Social Energy”, by the Integra Pirineus Foundation, which combines forest management and biomass generation, and “Confidence Project”, promoted by Mohammad Nazrul Chowdhury Begum, which integrates social inclusion, energy education and housing rehabilitation.
These projects reflect the diversity of approaches from which we can contribute to an inclusive energy transition, addressing both the social and environmental and economic dimensions. From improving energy efficiency in vulnerable homes to promoting new professional profiles in the energy sector, all initiatives share a common objective: using energy as a tool for social transformation.
A consolidated award
The awards, which now total seven editions, distinguish projects that stand out for their social impact, their capacity for innovation and their contribution to energy savings and sustainability.
Since its creation, it has received 548 nominations—126 in this edition alone—and has recognized the work of 30 entities, whose initiatives have benefited nearly 90,000 people. Altogether, Fundación Naturgy has distributed 680,000 euros in its six previous editions, among projects such as those of Provivienda, Spanish Red Cross, Energía sin Fronteras, Fundación Exit or Ecodes.
Naturgy Foundation dedicates a good part of its activity to combating energy poverty. Its Energy Vulnerability Plan, in operation since 2017, has already reached more than 355,000 beneficiaries, and the Energy Rehabilitation Solidarity Fund—one of its most notable initiatives—has intervened since 2018 in nearly 5,920 vulnerable homes and residential centers.
The entity also trains in energy efficiency through its Energy School, which in 2025 reached more than 938 municipalities and trained nearly 5,000 people, the majority in vulnerable situations. Added to this are programs such as the installation of photovoltaic systems whose savings are allocated to vulnerable groups, or “Energy Recipe”, which transforms energy savings into aid for patients with high electricity consumption at home.