The first edition of the Joaquim Vallmajó Award, promoted by the Coordinator of Solidarity NGOs of the Girona regions and Alt Maresme, took place at the Auditori dels Caputxins in Figueres. This event served to recognize the work of individuals and entities committed to equity and social justice.
The awardees on this occasion were a benchmark in Catalan cooperation and transformative municipalism, and the Anissa project by the entity Amunt i Crits!. This project focuses on empowering women of migrant origin, offering them reception, training, job orientation, and literacy.
“"This award is a declaration of intent in times when hate speech and the questioning of social commitment are gaining ground."
The jury highlighted the career of the cooperation leader, who was the first democratic mayor of Arbúcies between 1979 and 2003. During his tenure, he promoted the Candidatura Unitària i Popular d'Arbúcies (CUPA), an experience of assembly-based local government that inspired other municipalist movements. His role in the twinning between Arbúcies and Palacagüina (Nicaragua) 40 years ago, and his contribution to the creation of the Catalan Fund for Development Cooperation and the Coordinator of NGOs of the Girona regions, were also emphasized.
Regarding the Anissa project, its work in creating spaces of trust and sorority, as well as its fight against stereotypes and racist attitudes, was highlighted. The Joaquim Vallmajó Award aims to consolidate itself as an annual reference event in the field of global justice, recognizing initiatives that work for a more just world through commitment and collective action.
The event also paid tribute to the figure of Joaquim Vallmajó, a cooperant murdered in Rwanda, valuing his legacy and the values he defended. The ceremony included the participation of the artist who created the award and the commemorative installation dedicated to Joaquim Vallmajó and Joan Alsina in the Plaça de la Solidaritat in Figueres, and concluded with a musical performance.
