The 14th edition of the BPI Fundação ”la Caixa” Seniors Award is underway, with registrations until May 14 and R$1.4 million to support projects that promote active and healthy aging
Portugal has more than 2.5 million people aged 65 or over. Many live alone, separated from their families, at risk of poverty and exclusion and without access to adequate social responses that accompany them when they need it most. The BPI Fundação ”la Caixa” Seniores Award exists precisely to support those working to change this reality.
Since 2013, the initiative has been financing proposals from private, non-profit institutions that promote active and healthy aging, whether at home or in the community. The focus is on preventing frailty and isolation, minimizing situations of institutionalization, and in the effective improvement of the quality of life of the elderly.
Over its 13 years of existence, almost 400 projects have already been recognized, with a total investment of 11.7 million euros, which reached more than 77,500 elderly people across the country. In 2025 alone, 31 programs were supported with a global value that exceeded 1.4 million euros, which benefited around 2,700 elderly people. Among the winners, actions of intergenerational coexistence, Walking Handball (adapted variant of traditional handball), home services, artistic and cultural activities, caregiver training, digital literacy and voluntary support networks. Programs different in form and content, but with the same purpose: ensuring well-being for the older population.
Applications and selection
In 2026, social responses aimed at developing autonomy, improving comprehensive health, promoting support networks, including training and support actions for caregivers (formal and informal)community ties and the fight against social isolation, as well as integrated care, help in vulnerable situations and the prevention of institutionalization.
The choice of projects goes through three phases. It begins with a technical evaluation of the applications, taking into account their quality, sustainability and relevance, in accordance with the priority lines of the award. This is followed by a complementary analysis carried out by BPI volunteer evaluators, who meet in person with the entities that advance to the second stage. The final decision rests with an independent jury chaired by the Ppprofessor António Barreto (sociologist), which also includes António Seruca Salgado, Carlos Farinha Rodrigues, José Pena do Amaral, Marc Simón and Rafael Chueca.
Entities interested in applying can find all the necessary information on the websites of the and from as well as the registration form, which must be submitted by May 14 next. Winners will be announced in October.
Five million euros per year for those who need it most
The Seniors Award is part of the BPI Fundação ”la Caixa” Awards, an annual program that in 2026 maintains a global allocation of 5 million euros divided into four areas: Childhood (1.4 M€), Solidarity (1.1 M€), Seniors (1.4 M€) and Training (1.1 M€). In 2025, the four awards supported 120 initiatives with an impact on more than 41 thousand people in vulnerable situations.
In total, since 2010, the 49 editions have distributed more than 42.3 million euros to 1288 projects, covering more than 272 thousand beneficiaries.
Once registration for the Childhood and Solidarity awards has closed, the Senior Award is followed by Capacitar, designed to promote the autonomy of people with disabilities or mental illness, with aquotation of 1.1 million euros. And candidaturas opena May 19accompanied by an online clarification session on the 21st,and run until June 18. Be careful!
Present in Portugal since 2018, following BPI’s entry into the CaixaBank Group, the ”la Caixa” Foundation, in a broader context, this year dedicates 56 million euros to programs for social transformation, research and dissemination of science, education and culture, as well as sustainable development.
