Does the Pilgrim office providing the Compostela offer an opportunity to provide donations to support their operation, materials, etc? If not, they should. I suspect that many pilgrims who don't care so much about souvenirs still might donate to compensate their expenses.
Yes, at each "workstation" along the counter in the Pilgrim Office (P/O) there is a square box for donativos. It is appropriately labeled and clearly states that donations are appreciated. However, relatively few pilgrims actually make a donation. The amount collected is less than the revenue from the various other items sold at the office. Which, in retrospect, is why the P/O increasingly resembles a commercial shop. They have little choice if they are to fund their own operations.
I maintained from 2014, when I first experienced the "other side of the counter" while working as an Amigo, that there had to be a better way to separate the pilgrims interested primarily in the Compostela, and those for whom, the P/O was another tienda to buy stuff in. I acted on those beliefs in 2015 when I pleaded with the P/O "management" to do it differently at the new office starting in 2016. I have no idea what they have in mind in terms of processes. If I were placing bets, I would submit that nothing will change. The location will be different and the facilities and services much, much better for pilgrims. But, the essential work process will likely remain pretty much the same. I say this for two reasons: (1) we are talking about the Church; and (2) this is Spain after all... Change comes slowly within both jurisdictions.
All this said, one of the commenters above remarked that it might be possible to cease issuing the Compostela all together, as completion of the pilgrimage was a matter between the Pilgrim and their God. I tend to agree with this sentiment. Here is why...
Following the Catholic dogma regarding the pilgrimage, and obtaining the various spiritual graces and benefits that accrue to a Catholic who "crosses their 't(s)' and dots their 'i(s)'..." none of those spiritual benefits require a piece of paper. Also, for those who believe in the effects of these benefits on admission into Heaven in the afterlife, again, no paper would be needed. So, in this regard, one could make the case that issuing the Compostela is superfluous.
On the other hand, would ceasing issuance of the official Compostela reduce the number of pilgrims? Would this affect the regional economy? Would this, as suggested previously, "weed out" the sketchy pilgrims for whom the piece of paper was the goal, and not the experience, accomplishment, or attainment of the spiritual benefits (again, for which no piece of paper is necessary in the end)? I do not have the answers to these questions.
Would a secondary market in counterfeit, commercially issued "compostelas" emerge? I believe I heard or read something here over the past months that said that some souvenir shops were already selling certificates that resembled the official Compostela. What would expansion of that practice do to the credibility of the Camino pilgrimage?
The Church has been issuing the identical message on similar pieces of parchment or paper for more than 800 years. Granted, having a written proof of your accomplishment was vital at a time when there were no alternative means to document the attainment of this goal, most people other than clergy were illiterate, and the Compostela was often required to satisfy some condition or another back in one's home village. It could be effectively argued that issuing any piece of paper, and especially to all requesters, and for free, is completely extraneous and superfluous when people have documented their pilgrimages through a plethora of costly electronic means. A simple, date-stamped photo taken in front of the P/O would accomplish much the same to mark completion of the journey.
Viewed as a dogmatic process that continues to exist primarily because of tradition lasting more than 800 years, I personally do not see anything changing. I am a "cradle Catholic," and I very well understand the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and it's fundamental reluctance and resistance to change on all levels. However, as an educated, and professionally experienced person, who specialized in process management and improvement throughout his more than 30 year career, my felt recommendation is that there might be a middle ground that satisfies most people.
Perhaps the P/O could cease issuing free Compostelas, and instead engage the services of several calligraphers. A pilgrim, having been interviewed by P/O staff and approved for issuance of the Compostela, could opt to pay to have a professionally calligraphed Compostela issued, in a tubo, at the P/O. The cost would be set to recover the full cost of printing, administering, and issuing the improved looking Compostela.
In this way, those persons for whom the Compostela means something very important, will be able to obtain an improved version at cost. Pilgrims who do not care about the Compostela at all, need not be concerned. And the "sketchy" pilgrims who are in it primarily for the paper or "bragging rights" could choose to pay the cost of obtaining the improved certificate, of simply take a date-stamped "selfie" in front of the P/O.
Viewed from a process perspective, this would definitely work. However, getting the Church to accept this or any change to improve P/O welcoming and processing processes is somewhat less likely to succeed, art leas tin the near term.
As always, I hope this helps...