Andorra extends Meritxell Foundation funding to June 2026

The Government and the Fundació Privada Nostra Senyora de Meritxell have agreed to extend their funding and programme agreement for a further six months, to June 2026, to allow outstanding technical and financing issues to be finalised. This is the third successive six‑month extension since the review began in early 2024; officials said the prorogation is intended to guarantee uninterrupted social, socio‑educational and socio‑labour services while the new text is completed.

Foundation director general Celine Mandicó said negotiations are progressing “with an absolutely constructive spirit” and stressed the delay is procedural rather than substantive. She said the extension responds to the need to align technical and financing variables and that, if the new agreement can be signed before June, it will be. Both the foundation and ministers indicated they hope this will be the final extension.

Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín described the holdup as the result of the complexity of coordinating measures across three ministries—Social Affairs, Labour and Education—rather than fundamental disagreements. She characterised the extension as a measure of “prudence” while remaining “serrells” (technical loose ends) are fitted together, and expressed confidence the new convention could be closed before June if the work progresses as expected.

Officials said the revised framework affects several programmes, including Progres (for children in inclusive schooling), Íntegra services, post‑school supports and the foundation’s socio‑labour activities. The new convention is considered key to improving the foundation’s financing and, by extension, advancing working conditions and staff retention.

Mandicó reported that staffing has improved compared with previous years, though some clinical specialities remain harder to fill. The Meritxell Foundation currently cares for about 670 people, mainly adults, and employs roughly 400 professionals—a staffing ratio management considers adequate to maintain service quality.

The extension and its rationale were announced during a Christmas visit to the foundation by prime minister Xavier Espot and ministers Trini Marín, Ladislau Baró (Education and Institutional Relations) and Helana Mas (Health), accompanied by Secretary of State for Education Josep Anton Bardina. The delegation presented two pieces of exercise equipment—a static bike and an aquatic trampoline—chosen after professionals identified a need to reinforce aquatic activities to support users’ mobility, physical tone and balance.

Officials also noted recent efforts to align the centre’s work with international recommendations and local improvements to facilities: Marín highlighted adaptation to the principles of the New York convention and the recent opening of a new day centre designed with adapted spaces and materials to better meet users’ daily needs.

Government and foundation representatives reiterated that the current agreement will remain in force until the new convention is signed and that, if the remaining technical and financial elements are resolved on schedule, the signing could take place before June.

During the same visit Marín said the government expects to finalise a separate agreement with ONCE in the early part of 2026, with remaining administrative, legal and financial details to be closed in the coming months.