History and Recognitions



In 1975, the Alba Association was founded with the aim of offering opportunities and defending the rights of people with disabilities who, until then, had largely been “hidden” from public view. Together with families, a group of people began to challenge all kinds of barriers and look for new ways of doing things.

It all began with the Alba Special Education School, with 5 students and 1 teacher in the old classrooms of Carmel. The dream of being part of a society with equal opportunities pushed them forward despite having very few resources. Nothing could stop them!




And they stepped on the gas! They truly did! Socializing with the townspeople, going shopping to promote the children’s autonomy, or even going on school trips when no one else did—these were some of their top priorities. They had spent too long behind closed doors. Now it was time to step out and raise their voices!

And as horizons expanded, the organization grew, and new essential needs emerged to ensure the sustainability of the project and a future for the people it served.



Work activities began, such as the laundry service in the basement of the hospital, where they started out washing the Tàrrega Football Club shirts, and the car wash, which became famous throughout the town. They even washed the funeral home’s car—though no one wanted to do it, so they often had to draw lots to decide who would clean it… ;)

The car wash operated for many years. At first, cars were cleaned by hand, and later the process was semi-mechanized. But with the arrival of automatic car wash tunnels, the business began to lose customers and eventually had to close. It was time to reinvent themselves with a new work activity!




“Down there with the retarded!” they used to say back in 1990, when the Tàrrega City Council gave us a plot of land on the outskirts of town to build the headquarters of the Alba Association, although at the time it was still called “EL TALLER”. At last, a space of our own where the project—and people’s life projects—could grow.

The boards of directors, all made up of highly committed individuals, and increasingly professional teams faced everyday challenges with creativity, always worrying about the financial sustainability of the organization. And now and then, a setback would shake everything up—like when the company FURAS relocated, leading to the sudden closure of the cable service and leaving 50 people without a job.



And in 2001, Mr. Serra handed us the keys to the El Rosal cookie workshop, a family business that had no succession and was transformed into a social project that sweetens the lives of many people every day.
Who hasn’t tried Lluís’ “Arrugats”? When imperfection becomes a success!

And just like El Rosal, there’s also El Gat, which since 2014 has been a meeting point for many people in Tàrrega and a gateway to diversity and inclusion.





“What will happen when we’re no longer here?” the families wondered. Since then, the challenge of housing has been at the center of many of our efforts—always putting the person first and asking them where they want to live.

An old youth hostel in the center of Tàrrega was transformed into the first residential home, Llar Aleix, followed by Llar Alba. But the cursed pandemic only “confirmed” what we already knew: that smaller-scale homes or networks of supported social housing promote a more independent life and greater community inclusion.
A clear example of this innovative model is the Community Space La Bassa— a facility aimed at promoting active aging



But social transformation also meant ensuring other aspects of people’s lives, such as access to culture and leisure—participating in community life as full citizens.

First came summer camps, but soon after, international trips began. We were pioneers in accessing European programs over 20 years ago, welcoming and sending European volunteers, with Alba’s people and professionals taking part in exchanges and trainings abroad.
Hey! And we can’t forget the Alba Sports Club, which gave us access to sports practice throughout Catalonia, Spain, and even the world!

After 50 years, ALBA has grown and opened up to new groups, because the challenges are enormous! And when we talk about people, we can’t leave anyone behind. Our mission no longer focuses only on people with disabilities, but on all people in vulnerable situations. Because… who hasn’t needed—or won’t need—a little push at some point in their life?

That’s why we work to strengthen an inclusive and committed community in the counties of Urgell and Segarra, opening new centers and services closer to the people, in a rural region we love and want to protect—often forgotten and full of challenges.
Some of the recognitions the organization has received in recent years.

2024 – Arç Cooperativa Award for Cultural Associationism Activity for the Bòlit project.

2022 – 4th Inclusive Sports Awards of Catalonia for the Alba Sports Club.
La Bastida Foundation Award, within the framework of the social and solidarity economy.

2021 – J.M. Piñol Award for the trajectory of the El Rosal biscuit workshop project.
Respon.cat Award for trajectory and Corporate Social Responsibility.

2018 – Award from La Confederació in the democratic management category for the Organizational Model.

2016 – Volunteerism Award from the Government of Catalonia.

2014 – "Educate by Eating" Grant from the Jaume Casademont Foundation.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the Provincial Council of Lleida.
ONCE Catalunya Solidarity Awards.

2006 – Award from the Tàrrega Chamber of Commerce.

2000 – President Macià Plaque from the Government of Catalonia.

1999 – Culturàlia Awards from the Tàrrega City Council for the organization’s trajectory.