The Social Observatory - la Caixa Foundation
A space for analysis, debate and reflection that aims to study current issues and the challenges facing society, as well as to spread knowledge of the social sciences.
What we do
”la Caixa” The Social Observatory of "la Caixa" Foundation is a space for analysis, debate and reflection that generates scientifically-based knowledge on social issues through its own studies and competitive calls.
With the aim of enriching public debate and stimulating critical thought, the Social Observatory communicates the knowledge generated through publications, interviews and cycles of activities held at the CaixaForum centres.
Social research calls
The Social Observatory supports research in social sciences through three types of competitive call: the Social Research Call, Flash Calls and the Connect Call.
Social Research Call
The annual Social Research Call for Spain and Portugal promotes high-quality knowledge in order to understand and identify the challenges facing our society through studies based on quantitative data. The call is open to social research projects of any kind and provides financial support of up to 100,000 euros, with a maximum duration of 24 months.
Flash Calls
The Flash Calls for Spain and Portugal support quantitative research projects based on surveys. These calls focus on promoting research projects related to current social issues that also aim to provide rapid results which are then passed on to society. The topics supported vary in each call and the maximum financial support for each project is €30,000.
Connect Call
The annual Connect Call is aimed at research carried out by mixed teams. The aim is to promote collaboration between academia, the third sector and public administration in order to collect data that will help address social challenges.
This call offers up €80,000 in funding for projects that last maximum 24 months and deal with issues related to emotional well-being and mental health.
Consult all the information related to the social research calls on the Social Observatory website.
Spotlight
Spotlight
Call to support research projects on the social impact of Climate Change
The Social Observatory of the ”la Caixa” Foundation is opening a new call to support research projects in the social sciences in which data are used from quantitative surveys on the social impact of Climate Change, in Spain.
Going Viral, by Ester Lázaro
Ester Lázaro, a researcher at the Centre for Astrobiology and an expert on viruses, speaks about the parallels between biology and sociology on a topic that touches us all: going viral.
The impact of Dual Vocational Education and Training on labour market insertion in Catalonia
Does Dual Vocational Education and Training favour the labour market incorporation of young people? According to this study, Dual VET graduates work more days per year and earn more compared with graduates of Face-to-Face VET programmes.
Do Internet usage and education play a role in health inequalities? A study of the Spanish population aged 50-79
Can the Internet help us to maintain good health? According to this study, improving the health literacy of the population and providing them with access to the internet could help reduce health inequalities.
Inequality and social contract
What is the extent of inequality in Spain? We present a compendium of 11 reports that tackle its determinant factors and the policies necessary for its reduction.
Research and Innovation in Spain and Portugal
What are the factors that define a country’s research and innovation system? The eleventh Dossier from the Social Observatory of the ”la Caixa” Foundation analyses the case of Spain and Portugal in international comparison.
Documents of interest
The Social Observatory 2023
We generate and communicate knowledge in social sciences.
