Starbucks UK and Ireland has teamed up with non-profit organization UK Youth on a number of projects that will span for three years and take place in different parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, www.cypnow.co.uk reports. In course of the project Starbucks pledges to fund 10,000 pounds per each community project initiated by the local youth. 

Image: www.cypnow.co.uk

The first ten cities to participate in this program are Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Leeds, London (Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea) and Manchester. In order to join the project, young people will have to apply online. The application process is slated to start on April 21.

The joint program entitled ‘Starbucks Youth Action’ encourages young people in the United Kingdom and Ireland to pitch their ideas on improving community life and solving pressing community issues. According to Starbucks, the projects will be focused on the issues like literacy, refurbishing schools, neighborhood renovations, as well as technology, gardening and painting. The winning projects will be selected by a Dragons’ Den-style panel in each area.

In course of the program, young people will receive training from UK Youth and will be assisted by Starbucks with implementation of their ideas.

Commenting on the social initiative, Darcy Willson-Rymer, managing director of Starbucks UK and Ireland, said: «We’re keeping a very open mind about the programme. We’re saying that it is 10 cities and there will be somewhere between three to five projects per city and funding for somewhere between £2,000 and £5,000 per project. But we don’t know what ideas the young people will be coming up with.»

The regional program initiated by Starbucks in the UK and Ireland is a part of the larger global Community Service initiative by the brand. To learn more about it, please visit Starbucks website or the project page on Facebook.