SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 20 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The 25th edition of the Premios Joven Canarias 2025 has recognised the work of the Asociación Activoz Socioeducativa de Tenerife (8 Islands Award), the Asociación de Jóvenes por la Investigación de Tenerife (Collective Award), and Sergio Rodríguez Gutiérrez – Nito (Individual Award). In addition, the Asociación de Reinserción Social de Menores Anchieta and Besay Jorge Pérez received commendations in the collective and individual categories, respectively.

The awards, organised by the Government of the Canary Islands through the Directorate General for Youth, part of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families, were presented by Candelaria Delgado, the Minister of Social Welfare, Daniel Morales, the Director General for Youth, Rosa Dávila, the President of the Insular Council of Tenerife, Sergio Eiroa, the Councillor for Youth of La Laguna, and Eliana Parrilla, the President of the Council of Youth of the Canary Islands (CJC).

The Teatro Leal in La Laguna was the epicentre of Canarian youth, with over five hundred attendees eager to witness the event directed by Ubay Tamarán Alemán, as stated in a press release from the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Hosted by Darío Hernández and Natalia R. Valls, the gala honoured those entities and individuals who serve as role models for young people in the archipelago. During the ceremony, the Youth Departments of both the Cabildo of Tenerife, led by Serafín Mesa, and the Ayuntamiento de La Laguna under Sergio Eiroa, were also acknowledged for their collaboration in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the awards.

Candelaria Delgado confirmed that this year saw a record number of nominations, with 56 proposals submitted, encouraging all entities and individuals to continue their work for the youth of the Canary Islands, “our present and future.”

Almudena Díaz Castro, President of Activoz, spoke on behalf of the winners, expressing heartfelt gratitude and recognition. Visibly moved, Díaz stated that this acknowledgement serves as motivation to continue advocating for young people with disabilities. “We thank you for this award and will continue to fight for them to have their place, wherever they want to be and however they wish to live in our society,” she remarked.

Awards for Social Action

In the ‘8 Islands’ category, the award was given to the Asociación Activoz Socioeducativa de Tenerife for its efforts in promoting the inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment of individuals with functional diversity. The jury recognised their work since 2017 through various inclusion projects. “The life stories of the young people they work with reflect the positive impact their activities have had on personal development and quality of life.” This association has established an inclusive and adaptable intervention model, focusing on creating opportunities, inclusive training, and adapted sports.

In the ‘Collective’ category, the award went to the Asociación de Jóvenes por la Investigación de Tenerife (JINTE), dedicated to promoting and disseminating research conducted by young people in the Canary Islands. The commendation was awarded to the Asociación de Reinserción Social de Menores Anchieta for providing personalised and humane care to children in situations of neglect.

JINTE has been active since 2013 in advancing and supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral research, development, and innovation (R&D+i) as essential elements for driving social transformation and modernisation, adapting effectively to new circumstances.

The recognition for the Asociación de Reinserción Social de Menores Anchieta acknowledges its long-standing commitment since 1973 to provide human and individualised attention to children in neglectful situations. Since its inception, this initiative has set a benchmark in the protection, care, and holistic development of children, adolescents, and young people in vulnerable social situations.

The ‘Individual’ award was presented to Sergio Rodríguez Gutiérrez (Nito) for his contributions in the primary sector and his commitment to rural youth in the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, the commendation was awarded to Besay Jorge Párez for being a role model in social action, inclusion, and defending the rights of young people in the Canary Islands.

Sergio Rodríguez Gutiérrez is a young farmer from Tenerife, a rural entrepreneur and agro-influencer, who has also become a notable figure on social media within the agricultural sector, sharing daily insights about farming practices, horticultural advice, and reflections on the industry. According to the jury’s report, “his efforts have raised public awareness about the importance of consuming local produce, food sovereignty, and respect for those who work the land as a source of nourishment and landscape protection.”

The commendation for Besay Jorge Párez is granted for “his entrepreneurial trajectory as a young person with disabilities who has turned his life into an example of struggle, overcoming challenges, and dedication to others.” “His foundational training in Medicine and current studies in Social Work have allowed him to develop a humanist, technical, and strategic view of social action in the Canary Islands, creating a multidisciplinary career focused on social intervention, community health, diversity promotion, and inclusion of vulnerable groups,” the jury stated.

The Government of the Canary Islands established these awards in 2000 to recognise and promote actions undertaken by entities or individuals to foster social participation, autonomy, and quality of life for the youth collective across social, cultural, artistic, scientific, sporting, or entrepreneurial sectors. Currently, each category offers a financial prize of €4,006.74, with commendations receiving €3,005.06.

The jury for the awards included Eliana Parrilla Morín, President of the Council of Youth of the Canary Islands (CJC); Cristina Melián Hernández, a management technician from the Fundación Canaria de Juventud Ideo; Naroe Valls ÓShanahan, a Senior Technician in Sociocultural Animation and Master’s in Youth Information Services (University of Salamanca); Ana Isabel Rodríguez Padrón, Youth Technician of the Cabildo of El Hierro; Andrés Ginés González Fuentes, a technician from the Town Hall of Arrecife in Lanzarote, Yanira Cáceres Arocha, a graduate in Environmental Sciences, and Carlos Valentín Lorenzo Hernández, Youth Technician of the Youth Department of the Ayuntamiento de El Paso (La Palma).