The Health, Social Affairs, Development Cooperation, Equality and Family Commission of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM) held a new working session at the Federation's headquarters, in which various strategic issues for the social and health development of the region were addressed, with special attention to initiatives linked to the European CAPABLE project.

The FMRM's working committees serve as spaces for coordination, analysis, and proposal development, bringing together municipal representatives from across the Region of Murcia. This allows for the channeling of local needs toward more effective public policies. In this case, the committee is chaired by Ms. María Ángeles Túnez García, Mayor of Puerto Lumbreras, and boasts broad representation from municipalities throughout the Region. This territorial diversity reinforces the participatory and pluralistic nature of the body, fostering the sharing of experiences, the identification of local needs, and the promotion of joint initiatives for the benefit of the community.

During the session, the following was presented: “European CAPABLE Project”The presentation was given by Ms. Ana María González Sánchez, a technician from the FMRM, who outlined the objectives and main lines of action of this European initiative aimed at strengthening the care sector in the face of challenges such as the aging population and the shortage of professionals. In this regard, its alignment with the VI Pact for the Social Economy of the Region of Murcia 2025-2028 was highlighted, especially concerning the promotion of employment, training, and the strengthening of the care economy.

In direct relation to this approach, the following was addressed: Point: “SEF resources for the qualification of workers”Presented by Ms. Ana Meroño Méndez, Head of the Guidance Section of the SEF. During her presentation, key tools such as work-study programs and the professional skills recognition procedure (PREAR) were discussed, which are fundamental to improving employability and professionalization in the care sector.

Both points highlight the need to promote training, talent attraction and the improvement of working conditions in the sector, in line with the objectives of the European CAPABLE project, which promotes the improvement of professional skills, the exchange of good practices and the strengthening of care systems at the regional and European level.

Furthermore, the importance of adapting training pathways to the real needs of the sector was highlighted, facilitating access to training, the recognition of skills and the connection between theory and professional practice, key aspects for strengthening employment in the care economy.

With initiatives like this, the FMRM continues to consolidate its role as a key player in the implementation of European policies at the local level, promoting innovation and the improvement of public services in the Region of Murcia.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM), as a partner of the European project CAPABLE (Interreg Europe), participated on March 10, 11 and 12 in Germany in an international meeting for the exchange of good practices together with European entities.

Representing the FMRM were technicians Rocío Méndez Alemán and Ana María González Sánchez, accompanied by Tono Pasqual del Riquelme Herrero, Director General of Self-Employment and Social Economy, representing the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia and responsible for the VI Pact for the Social Economy of the Region of Murcia. This meeting is part of the project's transnational cooperation activities, which focus on improving public policies related to employment and skills development in the care sector.

During the conference, held in Dreieich and Neu-Isenburg, coordination meetings, thematic panels on labor market challenges in the healthcare field, and specific sessions for the presentation and validation of good practices among European partners took place.

A good regional practice with European impact

The Region of Murcia presented as a good practice the model promoted by the Regional Employment and Training Service (SEF), focused on the experiential employment and training projects in the care sector.

This model responds to a common challenge in Europe: the aging population and the growing demand for qualified professionals in the care sector, versus the lack of formal accreditation for many experienced workers.

The practice presented combines:

• Theoretical training and real employment from day onethrough alternating contracts.
• Obtaining official professional certificates, recognized throughout the national territory.
• Recognition of prior experience through the PREAR procedure, which allows for the accreditation of skills acquired at work.
• Personalized accompaniment by the public employment services.

This approach allows informal work experience to be transformed into official qualifications, facilitating job placement and improving the quality of employment in the sector.

Results and transferability

The Murcia model has demonstrated a significant impact:

• More than 600 officially accredited people.
• An investment of 23,7 million euros in 2025, co-financed 60% by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
• Improving the employability of vulnerable groups, especially women over 45 years of age.

Furthermore, it is an initiative transferable to other European regions, as it is aligned with the European Union's social inclusion priorities and based on adaptable regulatory frameworks.

European exchange and next steps

The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about other European initiatives, discuss legal and training barriers, and visit training and social and healthcare centers in Germany, reinforcing mutual learning between regions.

The FMRM's participation in these types of initiatives reinforces its commitment to improving local public policies and European cooperation, contributing to the professionalization of the care sector and the generation of quality employment opportunities in the Region of Murcia.

During the meeting, the main European projects in which the Federation participates were discussed, as well as new funding and collaboration opportunities. The FMRM, which represents the 45 municipalities of the Region of Murcia, plays a key role in representing local interests at the regional, national, and European levels.

The meeting involved the exchange of information on initiatives related to sustainable development, social cohesion, innovation in public administration and adaptation to climate change, areas in which the Federation maintains an active participation through various European programs.

Municipal priorities were also analyzed within the European context, highlighting the importance of strengthening local administrative capacity, promoting digitalization, and fostering inclusive policies that improve the quality of life for citizens.

This visit reinforces the FMRM's commitment to Europe and its role as a key interlocutor in conveying the needs of the municipalities of the Region of Murcia to European institutions, promoting strategic alliances and the exchange of knowledge.

The Social Services Committee of the Federation of Municipalities held another working session to discuss strategic initiatives for strengthening social policies at the local level. The meeting was attended by municipal representatives, technical staff, and institutional officials.

During the session, the European Interreg CAPABLE project was presented. This initiative promotes new tools and actions aimed at improving the quality of life of older people and strengthening the capacity of municipalities to respond to current social challenges. The presentation highlighted the project's objectives, scope, and opportunities for local entities, reinforcing their role as key players in the implementation of innovative policies.

The commission also received a visit from the Director General for Women and Prevention of Gender Violence, Ana Belén Martínez Garrido, who presented the cases and criteria to be followed regarding measures related to local entities and taxi travel for victims of violence against women, in the draft of the Second Regional Pact against violence against women.

Their participation allows bringing institutional action closer to the municipal level, facilitating the direct exchange of information and strengthening coordination between administrations in matters of social services.

Entities and projects that promote social development in the Region of Murcia

During the event, other key projects for social development and professional training in the Region of Murcia were addressed by representatives from other regional entities. Ana Meroño Méndez, Head of the Guidance Section of the Regional Employment and Training Service (SEF), presented the resources available for worker training, highlighting work-study programs and support in the professional skills accreditation process (PREAR). Alberto González Costea, President of the Never Surrender Foundation, presented the work of this organization and its pioneering project in the region benefiting cancer patients. Additionally, Rodrigo Ibáñez García and Arturo Díaz Suárez presented the OTRI Project “Cardioprotected Municipalities of the Region of Murcia,” aimed at improving prevention and response to cardiac emergencies at the local level. The Regional Committee for International and Temporary Protection was represented by Susana Henarejos Martínez, regional director of the Cepaim Foundation in the Region of Murcia, who reported on the actions taken to assist refugees and asylum seekers. Finally, Isidro J. Ibarra Berrocal, president of the Network of Volunteer Organizations of the Region of Murcia, presented this network, which promotes coordination and strengthens the associative fabric and volunteer work in the autonomous community.

The Federation of Municipalities continues to consolidate this working space as a forum for cooperation, dialogue and sharing of initiatives that contribute to the well-being of citizens and the strengthening of social services in the territory.

The headquarters of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia hosted the second stakeholder meeting of the CAPABLE project, financed by Interreg Europe.

The session focused on learning about European best practices derived from a field visit to Italy, identifying which aspects could be adapted to the Region of Murcia, and preparing contributions to address the challenges posed by an aging population and a shortage of qualified caregivers. The Sixth Pact for the Social Economy is the central theme of this project. Specifically, the possibility was identified of transferring an innovative system that provides care to vulnerable individuals in their own homes through services delivered by social economy enterprises that employ and support care workers.

Among those present were representatives from the General Directorate of Self-Employment and Social Economy, specifically Director General Antonio Pasqual del Riquelme; Lourdes Cobacho and Fuensanta Munuera from the Employment and Training Service of the Region of Murcia; Concepción Conesa from the Aledo City Council; and, representing UCOMUR, Patricia Barné, Celia Sánchez, and Elena Diaz. The session was led by Ana María González from FMRM, along with Raquel Galarza from EuroVértice.

CAPABLE Project

The CAPABLE project has established a collaboration between eight partners from Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Romania, and Spain, and aims to address the growing demand for caregivers in Europe. It focuses on attracting new talent to the care sector, improving skills, and promoting job mobility to ensure quality care for an aging population.

At this meeting, attendees learned from the experiences shared during the first transnational meeting held in Italy and participated in a dynamic session to explore how these lessons could improve the “Pact for the Social Economy of the Region of Murcia 2025-2028”, as well as other local public policies.

key findings

The meeting included presentations on various good practices, such as Germany's efforts to promote regular employment in the care sector for the long-term unemployed, home care services for the elderly in Vaslui, Romania, and support services in Italy aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly in their own homes.

The session also explored, in preparation for the next meeting, the role of Experiential Projects developed in the Region of Murcia, specifically by the SEF (Regional Employment Service), highlighting the importance of training and certification in the care sector to address staff shortages and improve the quality of care. Areas for collaboration with local entities and the Social Economy were also identified, focusing on ways to connect supply and demand.

Next Steps in the CAPABLE Project

Looking ahead, the next CAPABLE project exchange will focus on training care professionals. This meeting will take place in Germany in March, and will include presentations on the successful Experiential Projects implemented by the SEF (Regional Employment Service), as well as the regional skills accreditation system designed to facilitate access to the job market.

For more information about the CAPABLE project, visit www.interregeurope.eu/capable or follow us on social media with the hashtag #CAPABLE.

The FMRM is advancing the European Interreg Europe CAPABLE project, which focuses on improving the quality of EU policy for older adults by providing competent care and attracting new talent.

📍 Study Visit to Trieste: President Víctor Manuel López Abenza, along with the project's technicians, traveled to meet with the European partnership.

👥 Expert Support: We have the valuable support of Tono Pasqual del Riquelme, Director General of Self-Employed Workers and Social Economy of the Region of Murcia, as part of our group of expert advisors.

🗣️ Key Advances: One of the key areas is the training of healthcare professionals in the care of older adults. We are working toward a stronger and more qualified sector.

Under the framework of the program Interreg Europe , the project #CATTLE, which promotes the development of the social economy, the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia did not want to miss this meeting of professionals, as it currently has several projects related to this topic.

At the roundtable discussion, comprised of experts in the field, the Sixth Pact was presented, along with Amusal, Ucomur, the Agracias Federation of Cooperatives of Murcia, and Crysalia.

By consensus, the collaboration between social economy enterprises and the Public Administration was valued, and the importance of the Sixth Pact as a driving force was highlighted.

From the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, we work together with the General Directorate of Self-Employed Workers and Social Economy, on the lines regarding the Care Economy yel Boosting stability and job creation to professionalize the social-health sector in Interreg Europe CAPABLE

The VI Social Economy Pact of the Region of Murcia becomes the working tool to achieve this objective.

The new project in which the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia is participating is called CAPABLE and is part of Interreg Europe.

This aims to improve the quality of care policy for the elderly population in the #EU, providing competent care and attracting new talent.

This morning, Capable held the first meeting of the group of experts at the #FMRM, comprising the General Directorate of Self-Employed Workers and Social Economy, led by Tono Pasqual del Riquelme, the city councils of Molina de Segura, Jumilla, Aledo, Villanueva del Río Segura, and Ulea, and other regional organizations in the sector such as the Sef (National Fund for the Promotion of Social Welfare), Adermur, and Ucomur.

At this meeting, the topics to be addressed during the project were presented, including the training of social and healthcare professionals in elderly care. But undoubtedly the most important aspect is the working tool that underpins this initiative: the Sixth Pact for the Social Economy of the Government of the Region of Murcia.