Zofío. Coping with COVID-19 in a neighborhood community

Abstract

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an imbalance between the social reality and the economic situation of the autonomous region of Madrid could be perceived. for instance, the inequality index in Madrid was the highest in Spain (FOESSA, 2019), combined with a precarious situation of the social services in the region of Madrid (AEDGSS, 2019). The pandemic has aggravated the social situation of many residents of Madrid and overloaded the public network of social services. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the solidarity and problem-solving capacity of the different neighborhood associations of the city, in line with their long-standing defense of democracy, housing or facilities. An example of collaboration between public administrations, the third sector and a neighborhood movement can be found in the Zofío community, in the district of Usera (Madrid), with regard to the distribution of food during the confinement. This experience raises the question whether the opportunities of collaborations between public administrations, the third sector and the neighborhood movement have been sufficiently explored as possible solutions of the social problems faced by Madrid society.