Barcelona, November 19, 2024 – The Spanish National Organisation for Cooperation and the Social Inclusion of the Disabled (ONCE) unveiled its special Med Day Coupon charity lottery ticket at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) headquarters in Barcelona, commemorating the collaborative spirit of the Euro-Mediterranean community. This special “Med Day Coupon” edition, launched on November 19, reinforces a shared commitment to inclusion and solidarity for persons with disabilities across the region.

The ticket was presented to UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel by Enric Botí, delegate of ONCE in Catalonia. This Med Day Coupon initiative aims to draw attention to the importance of social inclusion, supporting ONCE’s ongoing mission to empower persons with disabilities.

The 2024 edition, under the motto “The Next Wave: Building a shared future”, is celebrated in a difficult context, marked by conflicts and the increase of disinformation, which fracture society and question our humanity. Unemployment and exclusion problems particularly affect youth on both shores of the Mediterranean, while climate change and inequalities aggravate the challenges for our communities and ecosystems.

This year, the focus is on local leaders, everyday heroes, young pioneers and innovative entrepreneurs, who are key to transformation. Through shared initiatives, common challenges have been identified and conversations have been promoted to find solutions, highlighting agents of change working to build a more sustainable and prosperous Mediterranean for future generations.

The partnership between ONCE and the UfM is grounded in a common dedication to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Following the success of the inaugural EuroMed Conference on Disability in 2022, the UfM, ONCE, and the Jordanian Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, co-hosted the 2nd EuroMed Conference on the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in January 2024 in Amman, Jordan. Building on this momentum, the third conference is scheduled for February 2025 in Greece, where the coordinated Regional Agenda on Disability will be presented.

This agenda, developed with input from both shores, outlines key actions to strengthen employment, social protection, and accessible healthcare for persons with disabilities, while incorporating gender equality and climate resilience as cross-cutting issues.