ESF+ Funds for Child Reception Centers: €11,295M Available Until 2029

Key data

Entities that manage residential resources for foster children have a window of European financing open until the end of 2029. The State Secretariat for Social Rights has signed an agreement with the Platform of Child Organizations (POI) that channels funds from the ESF+ 2021-2027 towards the transformation of the residential intervention model and the training of professionals in the sector.

The agreement, published on June 3, 2026, is not an open call for use: it articulates a specific project — Hogarizar — that already brings together 76 non-profit entities with presence in all autonomous communities. If your organization works in child protection and is not within this umbrella, the time to act is now.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement articulates two differentiated ESF+ measures within the Spanish social inclusion program:

The intervention model promoted is based on scientific evidence on attachment and trauma, with a person-centered approach and family-like environments. The objective is to advance towards deinstitutionalization: reducing the size of centers, improving the quality of support and bringing the residential model closer to a normalized family environment.

The operational vehicle is the Hogarizar project, promoted by the POI, which already has 76 non-profit entities distributed throughout the national territory. This project is the one that receives and channels ESF+ funds to member entities.

Economic and operational impact

The financial framework is ESF+ 2021-2027, with a total allocation of 11,295 million euros for social inclusion programs in Spain. This agreement is part of that total, although the regulatory summary does not break down the specific amount allocated to the agreement with the POI.

For entities in the sector, the operational impact is twofold:

• Access to European financing to adapt their residential resources to the new model (measure 7.L.03): involves potential investments in infrastructure, methodology and technical support.
• Financing for professional training (measure 7.L.04): allows the cost of staff training in the attachment and trauma-based approach to be covered, without direct cost to the entity if accessed through the Hogarizar project.

The horizon until December 31, 2029 provides time for planning, but ESF+ funds have strict execution and justification rules. Entities not already integrated into the POI or the Hogarizar project should assess whether the accession process is worthwhile before the execution period advances too far.

Who does it affect?

• Non-profit entities that manage reception centers or residential resources for foster children, especially those already integrated in the 76 organizations of the Hogarizar project.
• Third sector child protection entities with presence in any autonomous community that are not yet part of the POI but want to access ESF+ financing for this type of intervention.
• Child protection professionals (educators, psychologists, social workers) who work in residential resources and can benefit from training financed by measure 7.L.04.
• Autonomous administrations with competencies in child protection, which must align their intervention models with the approach promoted by the agreement.
• Foster children in residential resources throughout Spain, as final beneficiaries of the model change.

Practical example

A non-profit entity that manages three reception apartments for foster children in Catalonia and is integrated into the POI through the Hogarizar project can access two ESF+ financing channels simultaneously:

• Through measure 7.L.03: it receives technical support and potential financing to adapt its residential resources to the intervention model based on attachment and trauma. Since these are small apartments (family environment), it fits directly into the target profile of this measure.
• Through measure 7.L.04: its educators and psychologists can access specialized training financed with European funds, at no cost to the entity, until December 31, 2029.

An equivalent entity that is not integrated into the POI cannot directly access these measures through this agreement. It will need to explore whether it can join the Hogarizar project or if there are other autonomous or state ESF+ calls that cover similar objectives.

What should entities do now?

1. Verify if your entity is part of the 76 organizations of the Hogarizar project (POI). If you are already in, contact the POI to learn about the timeline for accessing measures 7.L.03 and 7.L.04.
2. If you are not part of the POI, evaluate the accession process. The agreement has a horizon until December 31, 2029, but ESF+ funds require processing and justification time. The sooner the process begins, the greater the execution margin.
3. Review whether your residential model fits the profile of measure 7.L.03 (small residential resources, family approach). If you manage large centers, the agreement can be a lever to initiate a model transformation.
4. Identify which professionals in your staff could benefit from training financed by measure 7.L.04 (educators, psychologists, social workers specialized in attachment and trauma).
5. Consult with your autonomous community if there are complementary calls aligned with this state agreement, since the autonomous communities have competencies in child protection and can articulate their own ESF+ financing lines.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-11936