Excellence in Community Programme MNC
Abbott Ireland - Abbott Ireland – A Passion for STEM
Abbott’s commitment to STEM education programmes is steadfast. With over 125 years of expertise in advancing science and innovation across the globe, Abbott is invested heavily in giving back to the communities through their STEM education programmes. Since establishing operations in Ireland 75 years ago, Abbott continues to engage and inspire families, teachers, and students of all ages and abilities in scientific discovery and innovation.
Their partnerships with aligned stakeholders provide the encouragement and inspiration for Abbott to continue to reach out and deliver programmes in the 9 locations where Abbott is based.
Amgen - Inspiring the scientists of tomorrow
The aim of the Amgen Foundation’s innovative science education programmes is to support the professional development of secondary school science teachers and increase students’ scientific literacy and interest in scientific careers. The Amgen Foundation’s programmes in Ireland have directly benefitted 533 life science teachers, 5,939 secondary school students and 34 university graduates in Ireland. A further 59,000 secondary school students are estimated to have indirectly benefitted. Social impacts have been further enhanced by the engagement of staff volunteers. In 2016, over 80 staff from Amgen’s Dun Laoghaire and Santry facilities volunteered their skills and competencies to support their partner school and the broader Amgen Foundation Programmes.
Boston Scientific - Boston Scientific Ireland STEM Programme
Boston Scientifics’ motto is “advancing science for life”. The aim is to fuel the next generation of life science professionals by encouraging students to achieve success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). In 2016 a core team created the Boston Scientific Ireland STEM programme. The 3 sites – Clonmel, Cork and Galway - shared their separate STEM programmes in order to enhance and grow the impact in the local communities in which they operate. The focus was on six key activities. A partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) and SciFest. Provides Scholarships for high achieving children studying STEM subjects. The annual “Bring Your Child to Work” allows thousands of national school children to learn about science in a fun way. The GROW programme - ‘Giving Real Opportunities for Valuable Work Experience’ provides 2nd Year College STEM Students with summer work placements. The Guidance Councillor Education helps educate the educators.
Intel - Intel Pride of Place
Intel Pride of Place is a community initiative and is aimed at supporting environmental projects that positively impact our neighbouring communities in North Kildare. The competition began in 2015 and involved partnerships with the Tidy Towns Associations. Following the wonderful public response to the competition Intel decided to fund the highest voted project from each town. In 2016 Intel launched the second Pride of Place competition, which expanded its reach to any non-profit organisation, school or sporting organisation in the local area who had an idea that can help improve their the local community. The idea could be anything from setting a new garden space for the community, it could also be an idea of how to use technology to make the community more “smart” such as apps to indicate when to water plants. Six winning projects were selected ranging from recycled benches for the local scouts, an outdoor classroom and garden, and restoration of a historic graveyard to encourage tourism to the installation of defibrillators.
KBC Bank Ireland - KBC Bright Ideas Programme
The Flagship Programme within KBC’s entrepreneurship domain is Bright Ideas. Bright Ideas is a unique community celebration platform which celebrates innovation and action at a local community level. It is a unique programme which allows people to have their say on how to improve their community KBC’s Bright Ideas entries were reviewed by independent judging panels in seven different ‘hub regions’; Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford, greater Leinster, Limerick and Galway meaning it is truly regional in its premise. The Bright Ideas community fund was established in 2013 and has to date awarded a quarter of a million in funding to over 120 innovative local projects across Ireland who have developed unique initiatives, delivering a real and tangible impact.
Lidl Ireland - Lidl Community Works
Lidl’s sustainability philosophy is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for its employees, to be an active and positive contributor to the communities in which they operate, and to be good stewards of the environment.
Over the past year, Lidl have developed a clear CSR strategy incorporating 5 pillars including their ‘Lidl Community Works’ pillar, which allows for cross company collaboration, with the aim of providing support to as many local communities as possible. Lidl engaged in over 500 local donations to support local initiatives, with the launch of 'Charity of the Week' which aims to support 52 local charities across the country with a donation of €1,000 worth of Lidl vouchers as well as their support of Ladies Gaelic Football clubs across Ireland through their in-store activities.
