Based on its success and impact, Pepsi will continue to fund the Pepsi Refresh Project and intends to launch the program in Europe, Latin America and Asia in 2011.  Launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2010, next year, the Pepsi Refresh Project will come to life on a global scale.  International market activations will be tailored to ensure relevance to local communities.

«The Pepsi Refresh Project has demonstrated that bringing simple ideas to life can create a powerful impact in local communities,» said Lauren Hobart, CMO sparkling beverages, PepsiCo Beverages America.  «Over the past year, we’ve been inspired by the quality and impact of the ideas put into action by Pepsi fans across the U.S.  And we’re excited to extend the impact of the program next year in the U.S. and around the world,» she continued.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is consistent with PepsiCo’s Performance with Purpose platform, and its success in 2010 is evident through the number of communities across the U.S. positively impacted by grant recipients’ ideas.  As of September 1, 2010, 42 million votes have been cast for over 7,500 ideas, and the 256 Pepsi Refresh Project grantees are estimated to have reached over 200,000 people across the country.

In an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas, the Pepsi Refresh Project will award more than $20 million in 2010 to move communities forward. Individuals can apply for grants to benefit a variety of projects starting January 13, and site visitors can vote for the best ideas for funding starting February 1. The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as an optimistic catalyst for idea creation, leading to an ever-refreshing world.