Coca-Cola has recently announced that 28 non-profit organisations from across Ireland and Northern Ireland will each receive a grant share from this year’s Coca-Cola €200,000 Thank You Fund.
According to the soft-drink giant, in total, ten recipient organisations were selected to receive a grant of up to €10,000, and 18 organisations will receive at least €5,000 in funding, to support the delivery of their community projects.
Operating in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation and supporting partners Youth Action Northern Ireland, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund invests in community groups that are orientated towards young people.
Commenting on this year’s recipient announcement, Agnese Filippi, country manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said, “It has been truly remarkable to witness the evolution of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, an initiative that is firmly focused on having a meaningful impact on the future of young people in our local communities.
“At the Coca-Cola Company, we recognise the importance of supporting organisations that empower our talented and passionate young people, who are the future leaders of tomorrow, which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland to double the size and impact of the fund this year.
“Our goal through this year’s increased fund is to have a longer-term impact on the lives of young people, our communities, and our planet, empowering positive change that will help build a brighter future for all. I’d like to recognise the efforts of the Irish Youth Foundation and Youth Action Northern Ireland in helping us to achieve this goal.”
Read More: Who Is ...? Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland
Empowering Young People
Coca-Cola noted that this year’s theme is centred around empowering young people through learning, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Speaking about the judging process, Lucy Masterson, chief executive of the Irish Youth Foundation, operating partners of this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, said, “This year, we worked with supporting partners YouthAction Northern Ireland, along with a panel of industry experts, to identify community-based programmes and projects that engaged young people in models of innovative and inclusive practices.
“Working with the Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has allowed us to recognise and support 28 valuable local resources for young people across the island of Ireland.
“The standard of applications across the three pillars of learning, inclusion, and sustainable development has been incredibly high. Although it was a challenging process, it was an incredibly enlightening and rewarding experience to hear from the vast number of community groups available to support vulnerable young people.”
Read More: Coca-Cola HBC Launches Its 2022 #YouthEmpowered Programme
