Two Galway charities are in the running to receive a share of this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which will give a total of €100,000 in grants to non-profit organisations.
COPE Galway and Helpline Mental Health are among the 23 organisations which could be awarded grants of €5,000 or €10,000 through the fund.
Leaders from the 23 organisations will be invited to attend a special skills and networking workshop, before pitching their project ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to secure a grant.
COPE Galway is seeking funding for a series of art-therapy sessions for young service users to engage participants who would otherwise be reluctant to attend therapy.
Incorporating art will provide participants with a creative outlet to explore emotions, anxiety and self-esteem.
Helplink Mental Health is seeking funding for the development of a series of workshops on mental health and emotional wellbeing for young adults to help them build resilience and reduce stress and anxiety.
Over 280 non-profit organisations applied for the Fund this year under the categories of education and training, diversity and inclusion in young people and taking an innovative approach to sustainability.
Commenting on the announcement of this year’s shortlisted groups, Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said that 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,” said Agnese.
“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.”
