Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homelessness charity, is delighted to receive a grant share of the 2022 €110,000 Coca‑Cola Thank You Fund.

22 shortlisted groups presented their ideas to a panel of judges during a series of virtual pitching sessions, with seven recipient organisations – including Peter McVerry Trust – identified to receive a grant of €10,000 for the development of their project.

Peter McVerry Trust will use the funding to launch our ‘Pathways to Employment’ programme, aimed at young people experiencing homelessness. This programme will support participants in their personal development and secure accredited qualifications such as first aid, beauty therapy, forklift training, and general English courses to build confidence and allow them to enrol in further education and apprenticeships.

Responding to the high level of demand for supports amongst community groups and the quality of applications received, Coca‑Cola increased this year’s Thank You Fund to €110,000, enabling the delivery of targeted supports to even more local groups with ideas to help young people take an active role in shaping, creating and maintaining sustainable communities.