Corporations are opening up their pockets to fund work that improves the well-being of society.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Verizon put $10 million on the table for innovative solutions that use technology to address issues in healthcare, education, and sustainability. Now, Coca-Cola wants in on the action.
Today, the Coca-Cola Company announced that it will be granting $100,000 to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Shapers Community. Global Shapers was launched in 2011 by the WEF to engage young people between the ages of 20 and 30 to deliver local and global change. They are self-organizing hubs based in cities around the world and are a complement to the Young Global Leaders program featuring those under the age of 40.
Global Shapers will return next year to the 2014 Annual Meeting with proof points of the work they have done to address the world’s problems. Coca-Cola will grant one project $50,000 and five projects $10,000.
“A challenge to spark and expand innovative ideas from the world’s young leaders is exactly what our world needs today as we look to create much-needed growth in the global economy,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, in a release. “With more than half of the world’s population under age 27, it’s clear that solving current and future challenges is dependent upon involving the ideas and energy of the millennial generation.”