Our History
The Horta Sud Foundation was born in 1972 in a political context very different from today, where democracy is embedded in our society. In the 1970s, a strong and structured civil society was more necessary than ever to accompany the transition process towards a democratic society.
1970s
Foundation
In its early years, the Foundation launched the first social and community development programs in the region.
It was during its origins that the essential values of the Foundation were established, which today, almost five decades later, remain solid and relevant.
— Key Milestones
1972 The Foundation was established as Instituto Pro-Desarrollo, at the initiative of the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Torrent. Its primary objective was to promote community development in Horta Sud.
1978 Publication of Revista Torrent, which produced 10 issues until January 1981.
1980s
First Actions
The initial years of work led to the recognition of the Horta Sud Foundation in September 1980 as a public-interest foundation by the Ministry of Education, thereby strengthening the project institutionally.
Additionally, in 1986, the Foundation published a resource guide for Horta Sud, a highly useful tool for addressing important and urgent issues for residents.
In 1988, a significant milestone occurred: the inauguration of the Horta Sud Foundation’s headquarters, along with its documentation center and library.
— Key Milestones
1980 The Foundation is recognized as a public-interest foundation by Order of the Ministry of Education dated September 22, 1980.
1982 Publication of the book: Basic History of Torrent.
1986 Publication of a practical resource guide for Horta Sud.
1988 Inauguration of the Horta Sud Foundation’s headquarters and its Documentation Center and Library.
1990s
Social Visibility
The 1990s were crucial in forming social leaders, individuals focused on a shared or common project.
Another milestone of this decade was the purchase and inauguration of the Casa Museu, which now houses the Foundation’s headquarters. From there, international solidarity aid and inter-associative project assistance began with Caixa Popular.
As the inter-associative network strengthened, activities such as the First Regional Development Days and the First Regional Associations Days were launched.
— Key Milestones
1990 CAM and the Caja de Ahorros de Torrent approved funding to continue Caixa Torrent’s social action.
1995 Purchase of the Casa Museu. | Launch of International Cooperation Aid and Inter-Associative Project Assistance with Caixa Popular.
1996 Recognition of the Ethnological Museum of Horta Sud as a museum.
1998 First Coexistence and Dialogue Days for Horta Sud Associations.
1999 Establishment of the Consortium for Museum Management.
2000s
Digitization
With the turn of the millennium, the Foundation began looking toward the future of associationism, considering the radical changes this decade would bring. Among them was a strong digital presence while maintaining the proximity that had been a core feature since its inception.
Studies on regional associationism and social policies were published, and the Associative Resources Center was inaugurated. Additionally, a campaign was launched to highlight the need for strategic planning in the region.
— Key Milestones
2000 Name change to Fundación de la Comunidad Valenciana para el Desarrollo de l’Horta Sud. | Museum inauguration on June 28. | Creation of the Associations Forum to stimulate and strengthen the associative network and offer training to associations. | First issue of Papers Associatius magazine.
2002 Creation of the Center of Associative Resources. | 2002 Citizen Award 2002 by the Federation of Associations of Torrent. | 2002 Lluna Nova Award, granted by Ràdio Lluna (Manises) for the work of support to the associations.
2003 Approval of the name of the museum, which is now called: Museu Comarcal de l’Horta Sud Josep Ferrís March.
2007 The name is changed to Fundació Horta Sud.
2009 Edition of a DVD with the Campaign on the need for strategic planning in the region.
2010s
Recognition
In recent years, the Foundation has experienced a very dynamic period. Support for associations and entities during the most challenging years of the economic crisis has been essential.
During this decade, the Foundation was recognized as a Civic Foundation; the first two Practical Notebooks for associations were published, and the Horta Sud Business Forum began. Additionally, this was the period in which the Xarxa Participa began to operate. Finally, in 2016, the Human Rights and Democratic Values Award, ‘Colibrí,’ was created.
— Key Milestones
2010 Civic Foundation quality seal awarded by the Global Fund for Community Foundations. | 10th anniversary of Papers Associatius magazine.
2011 Niquia Solidarity Award for its commitment to solidarity. | Artic Award for responding to the needs of associations and promoting communication between them.
2013 Launch of the Horta Sud Business Forum. | Euromediterranean Women’s Meeting, Euromed. | Implementation of the Associations Improvement Plan.
2014 Launch of the Somos Súper campaign to promote associationism. | Creation of the Xarxa Participa with regional municipalities. | Recognition of the Foundation as a Pioneer of the Economy for the Common Good.
2015 Creation of the Human Rights and Democratic Values Award: Colibrí.
2016 Somos Súper: Stories of Overcoming with Paco Roca. | First Social Comic Workshop in collaboration with EASD-Valencia. | European project We’re Super. | Evaluation of the impact of associationism.
2017 Awards for Best Creativity in Branded Content Social, Best Creativity in Social Advertising Illustration, and Best Social Project or Action at the International Advertising Festival Publifestival.
2018 Launch of campaigns Associations, the Heart of Our Town and Anonymous, Paths for Change.
2019 Publication of Practical Notebooks 3 and 4 for association management. | The Foundation receives five recognitions: Honorary Member 2019 of Ateneu Cultural Ciutat de Manises; 1st Cooperation Award for campaigns promoting and encouraging associationism, by CVONGD; Civism Award 2019 in the category of Citizenship and Civic Virtue, by the Generalitat de Catalunya; 2nd Prize for the Somos Súper campaign as the best volunteering good practice, by the State Volunteer Congress; 1st GO! Award for the Association Impact Assessment Platform, by the Diputació de València.
Present and Future Decades
Social Footprint
We live in a period of rapid changes, and the coming years will be no different. In an uncertain and changing context like the present, the Horta Sud Foundation aspires to establish itself as a key actor contributing to the reconstruction of the associative movement in the Horta Sud region. An associative network committed to defending human rights and democratic values, contributing to a fairer society and the improvement and progress of humanity.
— Key Milestones
2020 Launch of the #AraMésQueMai campaign to highlight the actions of associations in addressing COVID-19 and the promotion of the Horta Sud Pact to plan the recovery of the region. | 2nd GO! Award for the #AraMésQueMai campaign, highlighting the work of associations during home confinement.
2021 Launch of the Serà Horta Sud 2030 project for regional reconstruction, recognized by the European Climate Pact as an appropriate action to address the climate emergency. | Start of the Teixidores campaign, highlighting the role of women in the associative network. | Publication of the second comic Stories of Overcoming, winning six Publifestival Awards in 2021. | Europe Award 2021 in the VI Edition of the El Periódico de Aquí Awards for the Serà Horta Sud 2030 project. | First GO! Award 2021 in the category of Open Government Diffusion, Study, and Promotion Actions for the regional reconstruction project Serà Horta Sud 2030.
2022 Celebration of the Foundation’s 50th anniversary with the podcast Quatre Parets i Un Sostre and the launch of the Associative Perspectives campaign. | Publication of Practical Notebook No. 7, aimed at improving equality within the organization. | Inauguration of the exhibition Stories of Overcoming II at the CCCC. / 3rd Mobility Award 2022, granted by the Urban Mobility Service of the Generalitat Valenciana, for the Serà Horta Sud 2030 project.
2023 The 50th anniversary celebrations conclude with the presentation of the book “Fundación Huerta Sur (1972-2022). 50 years promoting associationism, culture and the development of the region‘ and the exhibition at the Carme Centre for Contemporary Culture entitled ’Las victorias hay que saber verlas” (You have to know how to see victories). Publication of the Practical Tools “Weavers. Associations for equality‘ and ’Locating and identifying grants for associations‘ and ’Practical Notebook” number 5, to improve communication within our organisation.
2024 Publication of ‘Associative Perspectives: Half a Century of Shared Learning’ and the first issue in a new format of ‘Papeles Magazine No. 77’. Launch of the ‘Recovery and Transformation Plan after DANA 2024-2028’.
