Fundación Universia works to drive cultural transformation at Banco Santander through Santander Universities, and contributes directly to three of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

1,500 people with disabilities have received help through Fundación Universia and Santander’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Madrid, 02 December 2021– PRESS RELEASE
Tomorrow, Banco Santander will join forces with Fundación Universia, a private, non-profit organization promoted by Universia, which has had the backing of Banco Santander for over 15 years and helps promote cultural transformation at the bank through its global diversity and inclusion strategy, to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Banco Santander commits to helping people with disabilities further their careers and enhance their job skills. In 2021 alone, the bank and Fundación Universia helped 1,500 people with disabilities boost their education and job skills through scholarships, mentoring, internships and jobs programmes. 

In Fundación Universia’s 15-plus years, Santander has allocated over 15 million euros to accessibility, education and employment initiatives for people with disabilities, contributing to three United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all; and SDG 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. 

At Santander, diversity is part of our transformation strategy. To innovate and overcome new challenges, we need the vision and experience of everyone in the Group. The bank prioritizes diversity and inclusion to attract, develop and retain the best employees, achieve greater results sustainably and contribute to a better future for everyone.

As recognition for its work in those areas, Euromoney named Santander the world’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion 2020, and the bank ranks among the world’s 10 most diverse and inclusive companies according to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.

Banco Santander is also part of the “Valuable 500” initiative to put disability on the agenda of business leaders and to bolster workplace accessibility; communication; and employee awareness in every country where it operates through projects like Differently Abled in Poland; Summer Experience in Spain; and the accessibility project at its corporate centre in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.