Two-time Olympic Champion, Kellie Harrington, has teamed up with Coca-Cola Ireland and its strategic bottling partner, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, to launch the 2025 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
With a grant total of €200,000, the Fund aims to support and empower youth interventions across the island of Ireland under the pillars of inclusion and inspiration, creating opportunities for education, employability, and leadership development among those aged 16-25, with organisations in Mayo encouraged to apply.
Operating in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF), and supporting partners YouthAction Northern Ireland, the Fund is inviting non-profit community groups to apply for a grant share of between €10,000 and €25,000 for projects that equip vulnerable young people with the skills, support and confidence needed to navigate life’s challenges and unlock their full potential.
In 2024, Mayo North East received €8,925 in funding for their “Waste Wise Kitchen”, focused on food waste, cooking skills, healthy eating and ways to reduce food waste and be more sustainable. The aim of this the project is to lead to small changes regarding food waste and help participants become more informed and sustainable consumers.
Reflecting on her own journey, Kellie Harrington said: “Growing up, I saw how a lack of support can push young people in the wrong direction. Sport taught me discipline, confidence, and resilience—skills that changed my life. Programmes like the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund give young people the same chance to find their purpose and believe in themselves. It helps grassroots projects get off the ground, reach more young people, and provide opportunities they might never have had.
employability—key building blocks for long-term success. By investing in local projects that
Applications for this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund can be submitted via https://www.coca-cola.com/ie/en/social/tyf until midnight on Wednesday 26th March, with entries assessed under the categories of inclusion and inspiration. Applicants are encouraged to visit the website for further details and full terms and conditions.
