The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership, IMPACT! has been named the 2015 Clean50 Top Project of the Year for sustainable development and clean capitalism by Delta Management Group.
IMPACT! was recognized for helping young Canadians become more effective sustainability champions, and being a model for corporate-community partnerships.
The program, run by The Co-operators, is focused on empowering university and college students to be agents for positive change in their communities. It brings together a diverse range of students with a unique blend of talents and knowledge who share a passion for sustainability.
One of 15 projects nominated for the top prize, IMPACT was one of five short-listed for their innovation, overall impact and the influential example they set for others. From that list the Clean50 award winners voted IMPACT! as the top project of the year.
“We are honoured to have IMPACT! included on this list of meaningful sustainability projects,” said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. “IMPACT! is a true collaboration and it wouldn’t exist without the dedicated engagement and support from our staff and partners in the co-operative, educational and non-profit sectors.”
In addition to the award for IMPACT!, Clean50 also recognized Tom Ewart, Manager of Sustainability & Citizenship at The Co-operators, as an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism in the Emerging Leaders category, in part for his work on the IMPACT! Program
To view the entire Clean15 and Clean50 awards list, please visit http://clean50.com. More information on IMPACT! can be found at www.impactyouthsustainability.ca.
IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership is a partnership with The Natural Step Canada, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, Wilfrid Laurier University, Lambton College, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, the international student organization AIESEC, and the David Suzuki Foundation.