Aura Foundation Summer Gala 2026

Aura Foundation is a non-profit organization pioneer in the implementation and development of the “Supported Employment” program in Spain. Its core mission is to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities through social and workplace inclusion, supporting their personal and professional growth.

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) has always been deeply committed to improving the lives of people with IDs. On Catalan territory through the partnership with Aura Foundation it was able to establish the Elsa Peretti Academy with the aim of improving the quality of care and increasing the training of people with IDs. By fostering leadership and strengthening networks and alliances throughout the Barcelona metropolitan area, the Academy has positioned itself as an innovative leader in learning methodologies and educational strategies.

This years edition of the Aura Foundation Summer Gala took place at the Palau de la Música Catalana, bringing together more than 1,500 attendees, including participants, families, partner companies, and institutional representatives, in a fully sold-out celebration of inclusion, achievement, and shared commitment.

This year’s Gala was guided by the concept of the Red Thread (Fil Vermell), inspired by the legend of the invisible thread that connects people who are destined to meet. Within the Aura community, the Red Thread represents the enduring and unbreakable bonds between participants, families, professionals, and companies, symbolising inclusion, opportunity, and shared growth.

The evening oﬀered a reflection on the continued impact of the supported employment model promoted by Aura Foundation, highlighting the progress achieved in creating and sustaining employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across partner companies. Special recognition was given to organisations that have demonstrated long-term commitment to inclusive employment and to the values of the Aura ecosystem.

The Gala also highlighted the ongoing work of the Elsa Peretti Academy, developed through the partnership between the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation and Aura Foundation. The Academy continues to strengthen training programmes, leadership development, and innovative educational methodologies aimed at improving the quality of support and expanding opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities across Catalonia. Stefano Palumbo, Board Member of the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, attended the event and presented the recognition awards for 10, 25, and 30 years of continuous supported employment in the ordinary labour market. He handed out diplomas, medals, and symbolic red-thread keychains to participants, acknowledging their long-term commitment and achievements within inclusive employment pathways.

The evening concluded with a performance by Catalan artist Miki Núñez, whose rendition of “Escriurem” brought the entire audience together in a shared and emotional finale, reinforcing the Gala’s central message of resilience, gratitude, and collective achievement. Under the unifying theme of “More AURA than ever” (Més AURA que mai), the 2026 Gala reaﬃrmed the strength of a long-standing collaboration dedicated to inclusion, dignity, and opportunity, and the continuing commitment to building a society where everyone has a place in the labour market and in the community.