Louth youth-orientated organisation receives €10K from Coca-Cola Thank You Fund

Louth-based non-profit organisation, My Streets Ireland, has received €10,000 in funding from this year’s €110,000 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. It is one of 15 non-profit organisations committed to developing a nation of change champions, that is to share in the €110,000 fund.

Now in its twelfth year, over 200 non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland applied for the Fund under the categories of education and training, diversity, and inclusion in young people and projects focused on encouraging young people aged 16–25-year-olds to care for the environment. 

My Streets Ireland in Drogheda applied for funding for a programme which aims to connect young people through a collaborative community arts project. Led by a team of artists, participants will learn artistic and environmental repurposing skills, with their creative expressions displayed in the 2023 St. Patrick's Day festival in Drogheda.

Commenting on the standard of applications and the supports that will be delivered to local communities through this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland said: “Year on year we come way from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund inspired by the courage and creativity of local leaders right across the island of Ireland, who are supporting and encouraging our young people to create a better future, for the benefit of us all. 

“As a business we are committed to investing in the development of sustainable communities, where economic and environmental stability as well as social equity is at the heart, with this year’s Fund targeted at non-profit organisations empowering those young people with the skills they need to become change champions.

Congratulating the recipients and recognising the expert judging panel who had the impossible task of selecting the beneficiaries, Agnese added: 

 “I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 22 groups shortlisted and 15 beneficiaries and thank our expert panel of judges which included representatives from our supporting Fund partners in the Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland. 

“Community action plays a vital role in effecting sustainable change, so I encourage all those community leaders, charity groups and local sporting organisations who applied to this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund to continue with their great work. While the need across the island of Ireland far exceeded what was available through the Fund, we look forward to seeing this year’s projects come to life with a shared vision to make the world a better place for future generations.”

Joining the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund judging panel once again this year Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation said: “The standard of this year’s applications and the quality of the presentations from the shortlisted organisations was just astounding. 

"Seldom if ever does one size fit all, so the work these organisations do is invaluable to the lives of all our young people, but especially those who need added support to achieve their goals. 

“Creating a sustainable community for the next generation to thrive by enabling the development of valuable local resources is the reason why the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is so important.

"Sometimes even just the discipline of developing and submitting an application can set a local group on a new path of discovery and having worked closely with the shortlisted organisations during our special Thank You Fund workshop; we’re so encouraged by the possibility of what can be achieved both independently and collectively by these local champions!”