EXTENDED: Applications for the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund are open now!
If you work with or manage a youth organisation that is looking for extra support to help young people, you can apply now.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2020
If you work with or manage a youth organisation that is looking for extra support, we have some good news for you!
Coca-Cola has doubled this year’s Thank You Fund to €100K and extend the application date to Monday 19th October
Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden recently helped launch the 2020 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
Marking a decade of support for youth-orientated non-profit groups across the island of Ireland, this year’s Fund has been reimagined to help groups respond to the impact of COVID-19. During the peak of the pandemic Coca-Cola provided relief funds to those most at risk from the immediate challenges of the crisis leaving €50,000 available through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund this year.
In recognition of the vulnerable and marginalised young people that have been disproportionately affected by the economic and socio-economic impact of the pandemic, Coca-Cola Thank You Fund grants totalling €50,000 will be awarded to charities, community and voluntary organisations and NGOs seeking support for initiatives targeted at supporting young people aged 16-25.
Successful groups in Northern Ireland who received grants as part of last year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund include Monkstown Boxing Club (Antrim); Mary Peter’s Trust (Antrim); Liberty Consortium- Playtrail (Derry); St Malachy’s OB Football Club and Albert Foundry Academy FC (Antrim) and Horn of Africa People's Aid Northern Ireland (Antrim).
Best known as the voice of breakfast radio, Pete Snodden was delighted to once again get behind the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and is encouraging community leaders in Ireland to take action and apply for funding at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.
Pete Snodden (Coca-Cola Thank You Fund Launch Ambassador) said; “I’ve had the great privilege of seeing the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund grow over the past number of years and the real impact it has had on local community groups here in Northern Ireland. I think that everyone is finding it difficult to navigate this ‘new world,’ but for someone who’s only support is their local youth group, this is a particularly scary time.
“I would most definitely encourage youth workers and change leaders in local communities across Northern Ireland who need support to continue their work, or who have an idea that they believe will help young people struggling as a result of COVID-19 to apply to this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund!”
Since 2011 the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund has donated €1,055,000 to non-profit organisations involved in youth targeted community, social and education programmes across the island of Ireland, with the aim of this special 10th anniversary Fund to support the community response to COVID-19.
Commenting on the announcement, Petre Sandru, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said; “In recent months as the health crisis and its impact continued to evolve Coca-Cola remained focused on supporting our people, customers and the communities we serve. From providing funds to social enterprise, FoodCloud, to help deliver 100,000 meals to communities in need to donating media space and securing PPE for the HSE, The Coca-Cola Company alongside our bottling partners Coca-Cola HBC Ireland has been focused on helping vulnerable groups in our communities.”
“As the economy reopens, we’re now looking to the future and identifying ways we can support and have an impact. The Coca-Cola system has tailored our community-based initiatives to specifically address some of the emerging needs facing Ireland’s young people. We’re delighted to be able to make funding available once again this year through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and building on our ten year legacy of funding community initiatives we hope we can support youth groups once again this year to get back on their feet and navigate the ‘new normal’ facing them. I’d like to thank our long-standing supporters, The Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland for once again supporting with their expertise on the judging process of this campaign.”
YouthAction Northern Ireland is joining the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund as a strategic partner and as a judge, once again this year. Speaking today June Trimble MBE, CEO, YouthAction Northern Ireland said: “COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the lives of so many young people in Northern Ireland, especially those who would have been vulnerable before the crisis.
“There is no doubt that the pandemic has widened the social and economic divisions that exist within our community, with the grants available through this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund providing a lifeline for our young people navigate these unprecedented times.
“If you’re running a local youth group that’s in need of funding, or if you’re a charity or NGO with an idea for a project that will support young people affected by the impact of COVID-19, I would encourage you to apply to this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. Whether you’re bridging a gap or building a bridge, it’s never been more important to support and inspire young people in your local area.”
Applications for funding can be made via www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou until midnight on Monday 19th October.
Leaders of the shortlisted projects will be invited present their ideas remotely to a panel of judges in October. Successful 2020 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund recipients will be awarded funding in early November.
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