Fundación Mapfre Social Outreach Awards 2026
Once again, we have recognized individuals and organizations that take action in the face of social challenges.
Awards
Some moments are worth sharing. For us, the Fundación Mapfre Social Outreach Awards ceremony is one of these. Each year, on this occasion, we recognize individuals and organizations that act in the face of challenges, using their work and talent to help others, find solutions and contribute to a better society.
These are the people at the heart of this year’s awards: four different ways of transforming lives, honored by Her Majesty Queen Sofía at the ceremony held at the Casino de Madrid.
The Award for Best Initiative in the Agricultural Sector, presented every two years and open internationally, was this year awarded to Cortijo Guadiana. Francisco Vañó Cañadas, general manager of the Castillo de Canena business group, accepted the award and expressed his gratitude in the following words: “Having our work recognized by an institution of such prestige reaffirms the ethical principles that have guided us since the very beginning: agriculture in the 21st century must focus not only on production and excellence, but also on being responsible, sustainable, and regenerative.”
The Award for the Project or Initiative with the Best Social Impact recognized Ayúdame 3D, an initiative that uses 3D printing to produce and provide free prostheses and other devices tailored to each person’s needs, primarily for people with limited financial resources. Guillermo Gauna-Vivas, its founder and CEO, accepted the award and used his speech to invite everyone to join the initiative. “We are still convinced that technology should never be an end in itself, but rather a means of helping others. And that if innovation is not rooted in empathy, it falls short of its full potential.”
The Award for the Entity with the Best Track Record in Social Causes was presented to AESLEME, the Association for the Study of Spinal Cord Injuries, in recognition of more than 35 years of work to prevent serious injuries resulting from road traffic accidents and support those affected. María del Mar Cogollos Paja, president of the association, accepted the award and explained: “This recognition is an enormous boost for us, but it also reminds us of our responsibility to remain vigilant. As long as there is even one preventable road traffic accident or one person in need of support after a crash, AESLEME will continue to be there, with the same passion, dedication, and conviction as on day one.”
The final award presented at the ceremony honored a woman whose achievements speak for themselves. The José Manuel Martínez Martínez Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Teresa Perales in recognition of a career defined by sporting excellence, determination in overcoming challenges, and a commitment to society and equal opportunities. “Lately, people have been asking me how I would like to be remembered. The truth is, my aspiration is not, a hundred years from now, to have people remember how many medals Teresa Perales won. I would be happy with something much simpler and more immediate: for someone to remember a hug, a conversation, a small act of kindness. Because perhaps the mark we leave on the world is not about whether people remember our name, but whether they remember how we made them feel”, she said in an emotional speech as she accepted the award.
In the words of Antonio Huertas, president of Fundación Mapfre, if these Social Outreach Awards demonstrate anything, it is precisely “our ability to change the world around us when we choose to get involved. Last year, from this very same stage, we spoke about the need for societies, especially in today’s turbulent times, to have role models. People and organizations like these remind us that there is always something we can do to improve the lives of others.”
Once again, our Fundación Mapfre Social Outreach Awards have shone a spotlight on those whose own lives are devoted to making a lasting difference in the lives of others. The task of making the world a better place never ends. Next year, we hope to find even more inspiration and learn from the stories of new projects and individuals who are already making a real difference in our society.