Resilient Local Business: backing economic recovery in the towns worst hit by the DANA floods

At Fundación Felisa we believe rebuilding goes well beyond repairing buildings. It also means helping local shops open again, getting economic activity back into the neighborhoods, and keeping small businesses creating jobs and wellbeing in the community.

The aim of this initiative is to get the local economy going again, create a steady flow of spending, put local businesses in a stronger position and support their future through real economic resilience.

The floods caused serious damage across the region.

In many areas, a lot of shops still cannot trade normally. Between compensation that does not arrive and a lack of resources to draw customers in, thousands of families depend on these businesses getting through.

• Local spending vouchers: we support people in vulnerable situations, who receive digital vouchers to spend in the participating shops. That creates an immediate flow of income and helps cover basic needs.
• Spending incentives and customer loyalty: a second phase with discounts and cashback that encourages people to keep shopping in these businesses and builds trust with new customers.
• Training and support: the participating shops receive practical support on financial management, going digital, marketing and decision-making. All of it aimed at letting them stand on their own once the direct help ends.

Our pilot has started with 10 shops and 100 people affected by the floods in Catarroja, who will be part of the initiative from July through September.

We do not intend this model to stop here. We want it to be repeated with more and more shops and in other affected towns**, showing that recovery is more solid when the local economic fabric is supported.** For every euro invested, a return of one euro is expected in the local economy.

If these months have taught us anything, it is that getting through this takes joining forces.