Ciudad Escuela Muchachos

What Ciudad Escuela Muchachos does

Ciudad Escuela Muchachos (CEMU) is a private non-profit association (Asociación Muchachos Ciudadescuela de Formación Sociocultural, CIF G28665289) founded in 1970 by architect Alberto Muñiz Sánchez (Tío Alberto) in Leganés, Madrid. The organization operates a 38,000 square meter purpose-built campus functioning as a miniature city for children, providing residential care, protection, and integrated education to over 3,000 children and adolescents at risk of social exclusion since inception—currently serving over 400 daily attendees with 60+ residents in dedicated homes (Hogar Andrés García-Quijada, Hogar Padre Silva, Hogar Gloria Fuertes). Its core method is the Juego Ciudadano (Citizen Game), a self-governance system in which children elect a mayor and municipal corporation, alongside the integrated K-12 Colegio CEMU, the Cemureporteros journalism program, Antena CEMU radio, and the iconic La Constitución del Niño.

CEMU's product ecosystem spans residential care, formal education (Colegio CEMU serving 400+ students), Escuela de Ocio y Tiempo Libre Comunitario, Erasmus+ youth exchanges, the Programa CODI for digital competencies, Ediciones CEMU publishing, professional training (notably a 100-hour "Menores en Situación de Riesgo" course at €960 in collaboration with Universidad Complutense de Madrid), and a youth hostel (Albergue Juvenil). It operates with 120+ employees and is currently pursuing a Digital Transformation Project (Proyecto TD CEMU) funded by EU NextGenerationEU to become a Smart City / Ciudad 5.0 in the child welfare sector.

The revenue model is multi-stream non-profit: public subsidies (Comunidad de Madrid IRPF 0.7%), EU NextGenerationEU grants for specific projects, corporate sponsorships (Leroy Merlin, Disney, Caixabank, Kromex, Fundación La Caixa), individual donations and recurring membership fees (socios comprometidos), course fees, and Erasmus+ program funding. Services to beneficiaries are free; commercial revenue is limited to training courses and the youth hostel. Distribution is direct through the single Leganés campus, complemented by social-services referrals, public education enrollment, and community outreach programs. The organization is independent, not venture-backed, and governed by a Board of Directors under Director General María Ordóñez.

Name

Ciudad Escuela Muchachos

Legal name

Asociación Muchachos Ciudadescuela de Formación Sociocultural

Website

https://cemu.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ciudad Escuela Muchachos (CEMU) is a 55-year-old private non-profit in Leganés, Madrid, operating a miniature-city residential campus serving over 3,000 vulnerable children and adolescents through integrated care, K-12 education, and democratic self-governance methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Child Welfare and Democratic Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Resident Support Services (RA Training Support, On-Call Coordination, Crisis Response Liaison) (EDAEAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Facilities, Capital Planning & Campus Safety Administration (EDADAKAI), Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM) (EDACAJAH), Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education (BPADAKAB)

Keywords

• Residential child welfare
• Democratic education methodology
• Youth digital literacy
• Professional training courses
• International youth exchanges

Headquarters

HQ city

LEGANÉS

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations from supporters who become 'socios comprometidos' (committed members) or one-time donors. The organization actively campaigns for donations through its website.
2. Membership fees: Monthly or annual fees from 'socios' (members) who support the organization financially.
3. Course fees: Revenue from professional training courses such as the 'Menores en Situación de Riesgo' course priced at 960 euros with installment payment options.
4. Government grants and subsidies: Public funding from entities such as the Comunidad de Madrid (IRPF 0.7%), European funding (Next Generation EU, Erasmus+), and institutional support programs.
5. Corporate sponsorships and partnerships: Support from corporate partners like Leroy Merlin, Disney, Caixabank, and others through renovation projects, donations, and volunteer programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CiudadEscuela Muchachos (CEMU) is a non-profit residential child welfare and education center in Leganés, Madrid, providing protection, accommodation, schooling, and integral development for children and adolescents in situations of social disadvantage. Its differentiated offering centers on a unique "Juego Ciudadano" (Citizen Game) democratic self-governance methodology in a miniature city built at child scale, complemented by an integrated K-12 school, leisure programs, Erasmus+ exchanges, digital literacy training, professional courses, and a youth hostel.

Product overview

CiudadEscuela Muchachos (CEMU) is a private non-profit residential education center founded in 1970 by Alberto Muñiz Sánchez (Tío Alberto) in Leganés, Madrid, serving over 3,000 children and youth in situations of social disadvantage. The organization operates a unified ecosystem of interconnected programs and services centered on its core residential and educational center, supplemented by the Colegio CEMU (K-12 school), the CEMU Escuela de Ocio y Tiempo Libre Comunitario (leisure and free-time school), Erasmus+ youth programs, the Summer Camp, the Taller de Comunicación Infantil / Cemureporteros (child journalism and media workshop), the Programa CODI (digital competence training), Ediciones CEMU publishing, the Escuela de Democracia / Juego Ciudadano (civic self-governance program), vocational training, and the Albergue Juvenil (youth hostel). These offerings collectively form an integrated child protection, education, and empowerment system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEMU Escuela de Ocio y Tiempo Libre Comunitario: School of leisure and community free time that promotes skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and emotional health for adolescents aged 12-17.
• CEMU Escuela de Democracia
• Cemureporteros
• CEMU Colegio
• Antena CEMU
• Ediciones CEMU
• Juego Ciudadano

Products and services

• CiudadEscuela Muchachos (CEMU) Residential Educational Center A miniature city built at child scale providing accommodation, protection, and integral education to children and adolescents in situations of social disadvantage. Functions through the Juego Ciudadano (Citizen Game) democratic self-governance methodology with elected municipal offices.
• Colegio CEMU Integrated school serving over 400 daily students across Infant, Primary, and Secondary levels, combining formal education with the CEMU democratic methodology.
• CEMU Escuela de Ocio y Tiempo Libre Comunitario School for leisure and community free time promoting inclusion, empowerment, communication skills, conflict resolution, and emotional health for adolescents aged 12-17 in socioeconomic vulnerability.
• Formación Profesional: Menores en Situación de Riesgo Course 100-hour professional training course on working with at-risk minors, providing an official diploma from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and 3 university credits. Targeted at university students, NGO technicians, social workers, and educators.
• Programa CODI (Competencias Digitales para la Infancia) Digital competence training program for children and adolescents aimed at promoting digital literacy, media competency, online safety, and reducing the digital divide for vulnerable populations. Supervised by POI Madrid.
• Summer Camp CEMU Annual summer camp offered jointly with CB Villa de Leganés, providing children aged 3-12 with sports, activities, and educational content themed around learning through play, history, and creative workshops.
• Erasmus+ Youth Programs International youth exchange and mobility programs under the Erasmus+ framework, fostering cross-cultural learning, media literacy, and digital competence among European youth.
• Taller de Comunicación Infantil (Cemureporteros) Children's journalism and media workshop producing the radio program "Te lo contamos en la CEMU" (broadcast Wednesdays via Antena CEMU Radio), the CiudadEscuela magazine, social media content, and video reports, providing foundational media literacy and democratic participation training.
• Ediciones CEMU Publishing arm of CiudadEscuela producing books and educational materials authored primarily by Tío Alberto, including "La Constitución del Niño" and works on the CEMU educational methodology.
• Albergue Juvenil CEMU Youth hostel within the CiudadEscuela facilities offering accommodation at approximately 24 euros per night including dinner and breakfast, used by Erasmus+ participants, course attendees, and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 children and adolescents served since 1970
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• CB Villa de Leganés (Club Baloncesto Villa de Leganés)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Annual Summer Camp collaboration. Organized together with Club Baloncesto Villa de Leganés, offering children aged 3-12 a summer camp with sports, activities, and educational content. Second consecutive year with monitors from CEMU School of Leisure.
• Universidad EuropeacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Strategic alliance to create a Public Observatory for Social Transformation for Childhood. Agreement signed to reinforce applied research, knowledge generation, and creation of new proposals in democratic education dissemination among children and adolescents.
• Plataforma de Organizaciones de Infancia de la Comunidad de Madrid (POI Madrid)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026CEMU participates in POI Madrid activities including advocacy for children's rights, 'Infancia en el Congreso' events, and CODI program supervision. POI Madrid coordinates the Childhood Guarantee Program for Madrid.
• UNICEF SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026Collaboration in child rights advocacy. CEMU's cemureporteros participate in UNICEF-supported events including 'Infancia en el Congreso' organized by Plataforma de Infancia and UNICEF.
• Scambieuropei (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2025Erasmus+ youth exchange partner. Italian youth visited CEMU for workshops and cultural visit to Valencia.
• Ungi Aarhus (Denmark)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2025Erasmus+ youth exchange partner. Danish youth participated in exchange program at CEMU.
• Ayuntamiento de LeganéscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2025Collaboration on digital formation programs including CODI camp, Tecnoamistad, and summer camps. The municipality's Social Services and Family Delegation helps identify families in vulnerable situations to benefit from programs.
• Fundación AmásminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2025Collaboration in the CODI program. Foundation participants join digital competency training sessions at CEMU, aiming to guarantee equal access to digital education.
• Filmax EntertainmentminorOthers · 6 August 2024CEMU served as filming location for 'Los Futbolísimos 2: El Misterio del Tesoro Pirata' movie. Production company filmed at the City's sports court.
• Chester Media ProduccionesminorOthers · 6 August 2024Film production company that produced 'Los Futbolísimos 2' at CEMU facilities. Producers: José Alberto Sánchez.
• RTVEminorOthers · 6 August 2024Television network participating in the production of 'Los Futbolísimos 2: El Misterio del Tesoro Pirata' filmed at CEMU.
• Movistar Plus+minorOthers · 6 August 2024Streaming platform participating in the production of 'Los Futbolísimos 2: El Misterio del Tesoro Pirata' filmed at CEMU.
• TelemadridminorOthers · 6 August 2024Regional television participating in the production of 'Los Futbolísimos 2: El Misterio del Tesoro Pirata' filmed at CEMU.
• Boys TowncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2023International collaboration in the 'Ciudades de los Muchachos del Mundo' (Cities of Boys Town World) congress. Partner in sharing experiences and testimonies of child welfare organizations internationally.
• CaixabankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2023Corporate social responsibility partnership. Volunteers from Caixabank Madrid Sur territorial office rehabilitated school facilities including the characteristic colored battlements, maintaining the aesthetic from the 1960s-70s wooden game.
• Kanal-21.tv (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2021Coordinator of the CiMe (Competencia Mediática) Erasmus+ project. Partners from 5 organizations met at CEMU to share results of a European youth survey on media competency.
• POI MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2019Co-organized the I Debate between children, adolescents and politicians at the Congress of Deputies, with collaboration from UNICEF Madrid.
• Civitas Solis Association (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2019Erasmus+ Youth Exchange partner. Italian group of 5 participants visited CEMU for a 5-day exchange including media, communication, cooking, and cooperation workshops.
• Tavo Europa (Lithuania)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2019Erasmus+ Youth Exchange partner. Lithuanian group of 5 participants visited CEMU for cultural and educational exchange activities.
• Leroy Merlin SpainmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2018Corporate social responsibility partnership for renovation projects. More than 40 volunteers participated in renovating the Gloria Fuertes residence including floors, bathrooms, rooms, common spaces, and furniture. Aligned with Leroy Merlin's RSE motto 'Demos Vida a un Hábitat Mejor'.
• The Walt Disney Company Spain and PortugalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2018Corporate partnership for the Gloria Fuertes residence renovation project. Disney contributed to the renovation coinciding with Mickey Mouse's 90th anniversary. Artist OKUDA painted the building facade with Mickey Mouse as protagonist. More than 40 volunteers participated.
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2018Joint organization of the 'Menores en Situación de Riesgo' training course (100 hours). UCM provides official diploma and 3 university credits. Course held at CEMU facilities with UCM students participating.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Boys Town: U.S.-origin residential youth-care organization operating a similar 'village-style' model with self-governance elements. CEMU partners with Boys Town in the 'Ciudades de los Muchachos del Mundo' congress — a direct international peer.
• Aldeas Infantiles SOS (SOS Children's Villages Spain): Largest global residential child welfare operator running residential homes and family-strengthening programs for at-risk children in Spain — directly comparable to CEMU's residential + educational ecosystem for vulnerable minors.
• Asociación Nuevo Futuro: Spanish NGO running residential homes for at-risk children and youth across multiple autonomous communities — comparable operating model (small-group residential care + education + social reintegration) to CEMU's three hogares.
• Fundación Padre Garralda – Horizontes Abiertos: Madrid-based foundation supporting children and young people at risk of social exclusion through residential and educational programs — closely comparable target segment and operational geography to CEMU.
• Save the Children Spain: Spanish arm of a global child-rights NGO delivering protection, education, and advocacy programs for vulnerable children — comparable beneficiary population and educational mission, but operates at much larger scale.
• Mensajeros de la Paz: Spanish NGO providing residential care, education, and integration programs for at-risk children and elderly — comparable scope, target population, and volunteer/donation-driven non-profit model.
• Fundación Amás: Madrid-based social foundation supporting people with intellectual disabilities and vulnerable youth; currently partners with CEMU on the CODI digital-competency program — directly comparable target population and digital-inclusion mission.

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF Spain: Broader child-welfare organization active in Spain with which CEMU partners on advocacy and Cemureporteros initiatives. Overlapping mission but operating at national-policy scale rather than direct service delivery.

Others

• Plataforma de Infancia (POI Madrid): Coalition of Spanish child-welfare NGOs coordinating the Childhood Guarantee Program and 'Infancia en el Congreso' advocacy events where CEMU's young reporters participate. Ecosystem/coordination entity rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Cruz Roja Española – Juventud: Spanish Red Cross youth programs supporting vulnerable children across Spain with education, integration, and digital literacy — comparable beneficiary population and educational methodology, though operating at substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cemu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ciudadescuelamuchachos_cemu
• Facebookfacebook.com/CiudadEscuelaMuchachosCEMU
• Instagraminstagram.com/ciudadescuela_muchachos
• TikToktiktok.com/@ciudadescuela_muchachos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciudad-escuela-muchachos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ciudad Escuela Muchachos