O2 sets aside £5m for community projects

Mobile phone operator O2 this week announced a £5 million project offering cash-in-hand grants to young people who plan to make a difference in their local communities.

The three year programme, Think Big, will allow 13-25 year olds to apply for a £300 grant to fund projects designed to address local problems as identified by young people.

Successful project will be eligible for an extra £2,500 funding.

“The reality is that young people are good citizens and are passionate about being part of the solution, not the problem,” said Ronan Dunne, O2 chief executive.

“We’re creating an opportunity for young people to reconnect with communities and societies, and use their passion and enthusiasm to benefit those communities.”

O2 plans to work with 1,000 young people across 500 projects each year.

Around 5,000 O2 staff members will also get involved as trained mentors and role models for young people.

Fiona Blacke, chief executive of the National Youth Agency, which is helping O2 with the project, said: “Every day I meet incredibly inspiring young people who are prepared to stand up and work and do something, and who have overcome enormous challenges.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of this programme. A major international company is saying ‘we believe in young people’.”

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