The Coca-Cola company and its bottling partner Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland have teamed up with the Talking Bollox podcast for the 2024 Thank You Fund.
The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund encourages non-profit community groups that empower young people to apply for funding to improve services.
It focuses on empowerment through programmes of learning and sustainable development, and asks that applicants submit their forms before Friday 24 May at 6pm.
Community groups can apply on the Coca-Cola website.
Now in its 14th year, the initiative maintains its commitment to fostering education, employability and environmental leadership among young people aged 16-25 across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Launch
A special one-off episode of Talking Bollox recorded in Bradog Youth Service, Dublin 1, today launched the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund 2024.
Hosts Terence Power and Calvin O’Brien sat down with a few key figures in the initiative to discuss a range of topics.
Included were the director of Just A.S.K Darren Kenny, and the director of Fighting Words Northern Ireland Hilary Copeland.
The foursome discussed topics such as the challenges facing young people today and the role of youth services.
They also covered the importance of mentorship, guidance and support in youth development.
Over the past 14 years, the Fund has awarded more than €1.5 million to 164 organisations, making a significant impact on communities around Ireland.
This year, an all-island fund of €200,000 is on offer to support community-based projects and programmes.
'Empower Young People'
Speaking at the launch, the hosts of Talking Bollox O’Brien and Power said, “We stand as proud examples of the impact that local projects can have on young people and want to encourage as many groups as possible from all across the island of Ireland to apply for funding.”
Coca-Cola Ireland Country Manager Agnese Filippi added, “As we launch this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, we’re reminded of the profound impact that community voices can have when given a platform.”
Davide Franzetti, general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said the fund is “committed to fostering the potential of young people” across Ireland.
“Having awarded more than €1.5m over the past 13 years, we’re delighted to be in a position to once again make €200,000 available to non-profit organisations through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund,” he said.
Lucy Masterson, chief executive of the Irish Youth Foundation – which is working with Coca-Cola on the fund this year – said, “As the operating partner of this year’s fund, we’re aiming to provide grants to community-based projects and programmes that drive real change within the community.
“In 2024, we’re particularly focused on programmes that empower young people through education, help them into employment and encourage our youth to become the next generation of environmental leaders.
She concluded, “We would encourage community leaders to apply for the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund today.”
Groups can apply until 6pm on Friday 24 May by visiting the website.
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