Shortlisted Groups Demonstrate Passion and Innovative ideas for Supporting Young People
People’s Choice Award returns: Public encouraged to vote at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou
Now in its eleventh year, grants totalling €100,000 will once again be awarded to youth-orientated groups across the island of Ireland committed to supporting the future of young people across the island of Ireland, with 2021 welcoming the return of the popular People’s Choice Award.
Leaders of the 23 shortlisted projects will be invited to attend a special skills and networking workshop delivered by Coca-Cola Thank You Fund partners at the Irish Youth Foundation and Youth Action Northern Ireland, before pitching their project ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to secure an activation grant of €10,000 or €5,000.
This year over 280 non-profit organisations applied for the Fund under the categories of education and training, diversity and inclusion in young people and taking an innovative approach to sustainability. 23 of these organisations were shortlisted by the judges and now advance to the final stage, getting the opportunity to pitch their idea for funding to the panel of judges.
In addition, each of the shortlisted groups go forward to the ‘People’s Choice Award,’ which returns this year, giving the public a chance to have their say and vote for their favourite local group. The recipient of this accolade will be awarded a grant of €5,000 to deliver the proposed project within their local community.
Commenting on the announcement of this year’s shortlisted groups, Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said; “The past 18 months have been truly extraordinary and particularly hard on our young people as they were forced to miss many milestones that we previously took for granted. Established in 2011 to help local community groups support young people, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is designed to back leaders in local communities across the island of Ireland working to guide and protect young people at this critical time.
“We’re really excited about the shortlisted groups and look forward to hearing from them during the pitch phase as they bring their ideas to life. To help them with this process this year, with thanks to our partners at Irish Youth Foundation and Youth Action Northern Ireland, we’re inviting each of the 23 groups to a workshop designed to provide them with helpful hints and tips on both presenting their ideas but also on how to maximise the impact of their local efforts, empowering them to continue their vital community work in the weeks, months, and years ahead.”
Joining the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund judging panel once again this year and delivering the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund shortlist workshop Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of Coca-Cola Thank You Fund supporters, Irish Youth Foundation closed by saying; “Congratulations to each of the shortlisted groups for this years Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. Through our work at Irish Youth Foundation, we know how vital funding for this sector is and especially right now as the impact of the past eighteen months is fully realised in communities right across the island of Ireland.
“The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is once again making funding accessible to community leaders so that they have the tools they need to provide the supports required to ensure our young people beyond the immediate aftermath of this crisis. We were delighted to support the additional stream of support this year for these organisations and youth leaders through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund Workshop. With this session we want to equip the 2021 shortlisted groups with some of the basic tools they need to bring their ideas to life, while also encouraging the development of a network of likeminded local leaders from across the island of Ireland committed to building better futures for our post pandemic generation.”
Details of the 23 shortlisted projects can be found at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou with the voting lines now open.
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