The EDP Solidária program, which runs in Portugal, Spain and Brazil, was born with the mission of supporting sustainable projects, and its focus is now on fair energy transition, ensuring that no one is left behind.
For a fair and equitable energy transition
The EDP Solidária program, which runs at Fundação EDP (Portugal), Fundación EDP (Spain) and Instituto EDP (Brazil), supports innovative, sustainable and impactful projects that contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and socially responsible society.
EDP intends to lead the process of fair energy transition without leaving anyone behind. In this sense, the focus of this program has been placed on improving the living conditions and integration of people and groups from unfavorable contexts, at risk of exclusion; as well as promoting entrepreneurship and employment.
EDP Solidarity (EDP Solidária) Portugal
In Portugal, since 2004, EDP Foundation has supported more than 1.5 million beneficiaries under more than 400 projects implemented throughout the country, with an investment of more than 17 million euros.
In 2023, the program - now more focused on fair energy transition - is once again accepting applications. This is a fundamental tool in the strengthening of the Foundation's social innovation positioning, and it now intends to fund projects of three types:
Renewable Energies
In the field of renewable energy, projects that use or promote the use and knowledge of renewable energy and that aim to create innovative social responses will be considered.
Energy efficiency
In this typology, projects that promote energy efficiency through the empowerment of communities and institutions in innovative ways will be included. They may include (or not) the transformation of spaces.
Sustainable mobility
This third category includes initiatives that promote forms of sustainable mobility (such as bicycles, scooters, or car sharing), as well as training and capacity building projects on sustainable mobility.
EDP Solidária Spain
Since 2015, Fundácion EDP has been supporting projects promoting energy efficiency and fair access to energy; initiatives related to rural development and combating rural depopulation and actions aimed at the elderly population. The 2021 edition focused essentially on projects aimed at mitigating the effects of the pandemic, mainly in the most vulnerable population groups.
In total, 144 projects were supported, with an investment of more than 4 million Euros, destined for about 440 thousand people and 100 entities.
With the 2022 edition, a change in priorities was marked for the fair energy transition issues, with 400 thousand euros (of the total million euros) being allocated to support projects in this area. In November, the 30 winners were presented.
In the 2023 edition, in addition to projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility, support will also be given to initiatives that propose to promote quality of life for the elderly and rural development in municipalities affected by the closure of thermoelectric power plants (Aboño, Soto Ribera, Los Barrios, and Puente Nuevo plants).
EDP Solidarity in Brazil
Since 2007, the EDP Institute has supported more than 200 projects, allocating more than 100 million reais to around 450,000 beneficiaries. Priority has been given to projects whose mission is to promote the human and social development of the communities where EDP is present, as well as the appreciation of regional specificities and potentialities for local development.
In recent years, among the supported projects, we highlight interventions such as, for example, the recovery of springs, the appreciation of handicrafts and indigenous communities and the training of young people for entrepreneurship, always under the prism of inclusion and diversity.
