Roots: social impact from the University

Facilitating the regularization of immigrants arriving in Spain and promoting their integration into society and employment rate, while helping to alleviate the problems of depopulation of empty Spain. These are the two axes on which project Raíces revolves, promoted by María Cristina Lanciego, a native of Pamplona and a 6th year student of the double degree Degree in Law and International Relations , and María Patricia Pareja, a 4th year student of Degree in management Applied-Applied Management, from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. 

Recently, project has been ranked among the top 10 social impact initiatives in Spain, in the national competition Desafío Ashoka Changemakers. The competition is promoted by Ashoka Spain, an international organization of reference letter in the field of social entrepreneurship, Bridge For Billions and IKEA, within its Allen Plan. After five months of training by the Ashoka team, Maria Cristina and Maria Patricia have launched their project. 

"The project Raíces consists of attend with advisory service legal subject of foreigners to immigrants in their regularization processes and subsequently, through synergies with municipalities and other social programs, to promote their employment rate and the beginning of a new life in rural municipalities of the so-called empty Spain", explains Cristina Lanciego. 

Raíces is integrated in the association Kaioa Sin Fronteras and has just opened its first office in Pamplona. According to María Cristina Lanciego, they will start working with immigrants and access to work jobs in towns with a higher rate of depopulation. "The project contemplates accompanying and advising these people. In most cases, regularization processes are costly for them. In addition, we impart training to favor their integration and break down cultural barriers," he explains. "We also want to change the sometimes negative perception of immigrants who arrive in a new country ready to work and earn a living. promote their economic independence, beyond state aid, favoring their social and cultural integration; giving these immigrants the opportunity to be productive agents for the country," adds María Patricia. 

assessment personalized

The office of project Raíces conducts several interviews with immigrants to evaluate each case and present them with an action plan from agreement to their needs. Once presented, the Username, who must certify at least 6 months of empadronamiento, may choose whether or not to be part of the project. The office has established a fee of 60 euros for the foreigners service and 30 euros for the service of opportunities in empty Spain. "These prices allow us to cover the administrative costs of the office in which we work and to meet the salary and tax responsibilities that apply. If someone accessed our first service and wanted to access the second, the second would be free of charge," says María Patricia.

For further information, please write to the following e-mail address: proyectoraices24@gmail.com