A Dublin youth centre teaching young people skills has received a five-figure Coca-Cola grant.
The Yard is a social enterprise which teaches young people in Dublin 8 skills to help them fulfil their potential, and has been awarded €10,000 in funding from Coca-Cola.
The organisation offers a wide variety of workshops including woodwork and bike repair to those aged between 16 to 23.
The generous grant is part of a Coca-Cola Thank You Fund which has shared €100,000 with 13 community groups.
Coca-Cola's Country Manager for Ireland, Agnese Filippi, said it was an honour to support youth organisations.
She said: “The impact of the pandemic over the past two years has been particularly hard on our young people.
"Through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund we are honoured to be in the position to support youth orientated organisations across the island of Ireland that are committed to supporting and helping young people to navigate their futures.
“Established in 2011, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund aims to empower local community leaders that support young people, enabling them to effect change and make a real difference in the lives of those in their local community.
She added: "With renewed importance of community spirit throughout the country we were so encouraged by the number of community leaders in towns and villages across the island of Ireland who took the time to enter the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who applied, as well as our distinguished panel of judges who had the impossible task of identifying the 2021 recipients. I wish all of the Fund recipients the best of luck in delivering their projects in the coming months. We look forward to hearing about the impact they have.”
Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation Lucy Masterson said the number of applicants is a "potent reminder" of the need for youth enterprises post Covid-19.
She said: “The number of applications to the 2021 Fund is a potent reminder that the need is still very much alive in the youth sector following Covid 19- restrictions and the impact that they continue to have on Ireland’s most marginalised young people.
"Helping them to rebuild their lives through education and training is more important now than ever before, with immediate action needed to renew their confidence in themselves and help to level the playing field for the next generation into the future.
She added: "All of those who applied for this year’s Fund are worthy recipients as they’ve shown a commitment to their local community, while I believe those selected to receive funding will have a very real impact and I wish them the very best of luck as roll-out their various programmes.”
Since 2011 the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund has donated €1,255,000 to over 100 non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland involved in the delivery of youth targeted community, social and education programmes.
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