Brought to you by the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund
“These community-based organisations are shaping the future of our young people in a profound way.”
18 non-profit youth groups have received a funding boost, courtesy of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
For the second year in a row, the Thank You Fund made €200,000 in grants available, enabling a greater number of community-based youth programmes to benefit from the Fund. The Fund, which is now celebrating its 14th year in operation, has, to date, awarded more than €1.7 million to 182 non-profit operations across the island of Ireland.
This year, 10 recipients from the Republic of Ireland were selected to receive grants between €8,000 and €15,000, while eight organisations from Northern Ireland were selected to receive grants between £6,500 and £12,500.
As these youth organisations were recognised for their vital work, Agnese Filippi, Coca-Cola’s Ireland Country Manager said: “This year’s applications highlighted the essential role that community resources play in empowering young people to build a better future for themselves. From initiatives that support education and personal development, to those enabling sustainable development and climate action, the diversity and creativity of the projects is truly remarkable.”
Davide Franzetti, the General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, commended the groups for their resilience and passion. “The projects recognised this year are examples of initiatives that empower young people through education, personal development and sustainable development,” he said. “From creating new learning opportunities to addressing food insecurity, these community-based organisations are shaping the future of our young people in a profound way.”
A diverse range of groups received grants, and you can read all about them below.
Monkstown Boxing Club, Co. Antrim.
Through Monkstown Boxing Club’s STRIVE programme, participants will be equipped with tools to enhance their own well-being as they support their peers, families and the wider community.
BCI NI C.I.C, Co. Antrim
This long-established training organisation in Belfast supports young people who are not engaged in any level of training, education or employment. Funding will go to supporting an inclusive 5-week summer programme that is focused on enhancing the health and well-being of young girls, empowering them to become strong positive role models.
Northern Ireland Youth Forum, Co. Antrim
The NI Youth Forum inspires, motivates and empowers young people to have a voice on personal, peer, community and societal levels. This funding will go towards their Empowering Learning Through Advocacy Programme, which empowers a group of 12 young asylum seekers to make a lasting impact on newcomers to Belfast by offering upskilling opportunities and creating awareness about the issues impacting asylum seekers in Belfast.
St. Patrick’s Youth Club Keady, Co. Armagh
This youth club engages young people who are considered at risk for early school leaving and provides them with a safe space to socialise and mix with their peers. Funding will go towards supporting the group’s Going in the Right Direction Project which aims to support the personal growth and development of young people, thereby improving their employability prospects.
Diverse Youth NI, Co, Antrim
Working within the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) community in Northern Ireland, this organisation strives to uplift and empower young people. Funding will be used to support the ElevateU Project which addresses the critical need for skills development and employment among marginalised youth through training, mentorship and job experiences.
Cork Foyer, Co. Cork
Cork Foyer provides medium-term supported accommodation for people between the ages of 18-25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Their Foyer Summer Programme, which will be supported by funding from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, will give residents a chance to upskill during the summer.
REACH Across, Co. Down
As a cross-community youth project, REACH Across is a resource for teenagers in the western region of Northern Ireland. The funding will support F.L.I.P. (Future Leaders Investment Project) as it aims to provide an extended programme of training and development opportunities for their current Leaders and Assisted Leaders.
Willowfield Parish Community Association, Co. Down
This community group is currently working to alleviate poverty while addressing its causes in inner city East Belfast. Funding will support the group’s Leaders in Training Programme, which enables young people from the inner city to engage with positive leadership principles, including the importance of personal development and community ownership.
Gaiety School of Acting, Co. Louth
In addition to being regarded as one of the country’s best acting training facilities, the Gaiety School of Acting runs Céim, a two-day event targeting young people in partnership with Drogheda Youth Theatre. Young people are given the opportunity to explore theatre as a career and the benefits of drama through a series of workshops and talks.
Way 2 Work Ireland, Co. Dublin
Founded in partnership with Tusla, this organisation creates employment, education and training opportunities for young people with a care-experienced background. This particular funding will be dedicated to supporting young individuals in remission from cancer, with W2W aiming to help them achieve their personal goals, specifically in employment and training pathways.
STAR Tuam, Co. Galway
STAR Tuam is one of four pilot programmes that has been set up to address educational inequality and school engagement within the Travelling and Roma communities of Ireland. With funding from the Thank You Fund, STAR Tuam will provide an activity and life-skills programme for Traveller and Roma youth to encourage school attendance and progression to third-level education.
Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association Limited, Newry
Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association supports the personal development of children and young people of Newry through a range of activities. With funding from the Thank You Fund, the group and its members will cultivate a community garden, with a specific focus on sustainability and environmental care.
The Acorn Project – Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Co. Offaly
The Acorn Project supports young people who are deemed at risk of anti-social or criminal activity and focuses on steering young people towards more positive life choices. The group will use funding from the Thank You Fund to support 25 young people in their nine-month Employability Programme, which includes a QQI accreditation and work experience.
Engage in Education, Co. Limerick
Engage in Education focuses on supporting third-level progression in Limerick, offering financial and non-financial interventions at various stages of education. The group will use their grant to support access to extra tuition support for 50 young people in the Leaving Certificate cycle.
Student Volunteer Ireland, Co. Limerick
Through a bespoke online platform that allows youth and community partners to connect, Student Volunteer Ireland addresses barriers to volunteering. With the funding from Coca-Cola, Student Volunteer Ireland will train and empower minority students in leadership skills, focused on volunteer management and volunteer engagement for circular economy projects.
Mayo North East, Co Mayo
By working with communities and public sector agencies, this project supports individuals experiencing social exclusion, inequality and poverty. Funding will go to support the Waste Wise Kitchen project, which comprises two 10-week programmes focused on food waste, cooking skills, healthy eating and sustainability.
Aiséirí, Co. Kilkenny
Aiséirí provides residential and community-based addiction treatment to people between the ages of 15 and 21. This grant will go towards their Loved Back to Life project which empowers and trains people to restore furniture from donations and landfills through their Repair Cafés, learning about environmental conservation and the principles of circular economy.
Spraoi Agus Spórt Family Centre, Co. Donegal
This community group provides fun, affordable and inclusive activities, opportunities and experiences for children and young people in Inishowen. Spraoi Agus Spórt will channel their funding into their Swap & Style project, a monthly event promoting sustainable fashion through clothes swaps and sales.
