La Huertecica

La Huertecica is a Spanish non-profit association, formally known as the Asociación Colectivo La Huertecica, based in Cartagena in the Region of Murcia. It describes itself as "investing in people since 1983" and focuses on addressing addiction problems among young people and adults who are in situations of particular vulnerability. Its work combines direct assistance, supervised housing, employment integration, training, and community awareness activities. The organisation operates a Centro de Encuentro y Acogida (Meeting and Reception Centre) at Plaza Jaime Bosch nº7 in Cartagena, and it runs supervised housing programmes for people who are homeless, have addictions, and/or mental illness, as well as for women who are victims of gender violence. Its employment projects, such as the E-labora projects, provide training and insertion itineraries for people at risk of social exclusion. In the 2024–2025 edition, the association reported that 305 people in situations of social vulnerability were accompanied through these itineraries. La Huertecica is a civil-society organisation rather than a commercial company. It is funded through membership, donations, collaboration agreements, and public programmes, and it publishes annual activity reports (Memorias de Actividades) to account for its work. It also organises community events, including the Milla Solidaria, a family-friendly sports and recreational event whose 2026 edition opened registrations in January 2026. The association is active in the Region of Murcia and works in coordination with public social and health services, the third sector, and community services. Its stated principles include fighting exclusion, non-discrimination, and equality of opportunity. It also engages in advocacy and awareness-raising on issues such as the gender pay gap and social exclusion.

La Huertecica was founded in 1983 in Cartagena, Spain, as a collective dedicated to addressing drug addiction and social exclusion. Its full name, Asociación Colectivo La Huertecica, reflects its origins as a grassroots association. From its early years, it focused on supporting young people and adults with substance dependencies, particularly those in situations of special vulnerability. Over the decades, the organisation expanded its scope from addiction treatment to broader social inclusion. It established a Centro de Encuentro y Acogida in Cartagena, which serves as a hub for reception, assessment, and accompaniment. It developed supervised housing programmes for people who are homeless, have addictions, and/or mental illness, and for women who are victims of gender violence. These programmes aim to support autonomous living and social reintegration. In the 2020s, La Huertecica placed increasing emphasis on employment as a pathway to inclusion. Its E-labora projects provide training and individualised itineraries for people at risk of exclusion. In the 2024–2025 edition, the association reported that 305 people improved their employability through these projects, and it held a diploma ceremony in January 2026 to recognise participants. The association also engages in public awareness and advocacy. It publishes annual activity reports, such as the Memoria de Actividades 2025, and participates in commemorative days such as Equal Pay Day. It organises community events like the Milla Solidaria, a family-friendly run/walk that has reached its thirteenth edition by 2026. Throughout its history, La Huertecica has worked in coordination with public social and health services, the third sector, and community networks in the Region of Murcia.

• 2026

  XIII Milla Solidaria registrations open; Memoria de Actividades 2025 published.

• 2025

  E-labora projects accompany 305 people in social vulnerability.

• 1983

  La Huertecica founded in Cartagena, Spain.

Non-profit social organisation focused on addiction support and social inclusion in the Region of Murcia.

1. 1La Huertecica – Invirtiendo en personaslahuertecica.com
2. 2Trabaja con nosotros + Voluntariado – La Huertecicalahuertecica.com
3. 3La Huertecica – Wikidatawikidata.org