Spanish universities see 20% rise in student volunteering projects

Spanish universities saw a significant rise in social engagement during the 2025-2026 academic year. According to the XIV Study on University Volunteering by the Fundación Mutua Madrileña, more than 3,400 projects were promoted, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Student participation also grew by 9%, with 23,600 students mobilized across 43 public and private institutions.

The Universitat de Girona emerged as the second most active institution in terms of project volume, hosting 393 solidarity projects. This places it behind the Universidad de Salamanca, which led with 481 projects. In terms of student mobilization, the Universitat de Girona ranked third with 2,462 volunteers, following the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela and Universidad CEU San Pablo.

Approximately 21% of the total projects were newly created, indicating an ability to adapt to emerging social needs. Most initiatives (85%) were conducted in collaboration with non-profit organizations, focusing on childhood, functional diversity, and development cooperation. While 87% of activities took place within Spain, 13% had an international scope, including actions in Tanzania, Morocco, and Peru.