Amazon Web Services has launched a new AWS InCommunities Fund to help local community groups, schools, and organisations in Fingal to kick-start new projects or expand existing ones for the benefit of the community.
The €150,000 fund will be managed and administered by non-profit organisation ChangeX, and is expected to support up to 30 community projects in the Fingal area.
Applicants can apply for funding up to €10,000 to launch a new idea or to expand an existing local project that supports an area of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education (STEAM), sustainability, or health and wellbeing.
Applicants can also apply for funding to introduce one of 12 established community programmes with proven positive social or environmental impact in other global communities into Fingal. These include: Better Block Parklet, which helps communities turn parking spots into spaces for play or business expansion; Pocket Forests, which are small areas of densely planted native trees, shrubs and wildflowers in a school or community setting; and STEAM-ed, which supports a school’s STEAM capacity with a fun and engaging ready-to-teach STEAM-in-a-Box learning programme.
The AWS InCommunities Fund is open to people living in the Fingal County area with applications accepted until 11 November. Funding will be subject to a review process, where applications will be assessed and scored against funding criteria and the potential impact in the community. All successful applicants will complete a 30-day challenge to kick-start their idea and take their first steps towards making their project a reality.
AWS is already working with local community groups and schools in Fingal, including Luttrellstown Community College, a school with over 950 students located in Clonsilla. Since 2019 AWS has worked with Luttrellstown Community College on environmental and educational initiatives, for example, the installation of a polytunnel to support students’ environmental education. AWS volunteers have also mentored students and provided them with the skills needed to successfully deliver projects that they have a passion for, and that will have a positive impact on their wider community.
In addition, AWS and Luttrellstown Community College developed the annual Comhrá Cliste (Class Chats) competition, where students design, plan, project manage and deliver projects that will support their school or community.
Siobhán Moran, Principal of Luttrellstown Community College said: “We are very grateful for the support AWS has provided over the last number of years, from inviting our students to attend AWS Girls’ Tech Day, to supporting our annual Comhrá Cliste competition, which inspires students to be innovative and entrepreneurial. We’re excited to see AWS launch this fund and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our local community.”
“AWS has been investing in Ireland for over 15 years, and the launch of this new AWS InCommunities Fund for the Fingal area highlights our continued commitment to both the local community and the country,” said Mike Beary, Country Manager, AWS Ireland. “We remain focused on being a responsible and trusted part of the Fingal community, and we want to continue making a positive difference in the communities in which we operate, particularly in areas of health, wellbeing, education and the environment. We’re proud to play a small part in helping to support the Fingal area, and we encourage anyone interested to apply to the AWS InCommunities Fund today and help make a lasting difference.”
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