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International Youth Foundation Announces Recipients of 2009 StarbucksTM Shared PlanetTM Youth Action Grants

Twenty innovative youth-led projects around the globe receive grants

International Youth Foundation Announces Recipients of 2009 StarbucksTM Shared PlanetTM Youth Action Grants

Twenty innovative youth-led projects around the globe receive grants

Published 11-19-09

Submitted by International Youth Foundation

With support from the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants program, 20 youth-led initiatives in 12 countries will expand the impact of their social change work. The grants, ranging from US$7,500-$10,000, will support youth-led projects such as efforts to influence the legislative agenda in Kenya, equip disadvantaged women in the Philippines with income-generating skills, and raise awareness of solutions to climate change.

The Youth Action Grants program is a key component of the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to communities. Grant recipients were chosen by Starbucks and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) in order to make funding available to young leaders who have completed IYF’s YouthActionNet® Global Fellowship. The Fellowship seeks to develop a new generation of socially-conscious global citizens who create positive change in their communities, their countries, and the world.

"The diversity of projects led by this year's grant recipients testify to the tremendous drive, creativity, and compassion of today's young social entrepreneurs," said IYF President and CEO William S. Reese. "Through this much-needed support, Starbucks is enabling these youth to realize their visions of a better world - and inspire others in the process."

"We congratulate each of these young leaders for their hard work and innovative solutions to local challenges," said Ben Packard, Starbucks vice president, Global Responsibility. "Through Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to communities, we seek to celebrate, support, and spread this spirit of innovation and service in addressing community needs." Among the 20 projects to receive a total of US$200,000 in StarbucksTM Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants are:

Family in Need Trust, Zimbabwe: The Trust, established by Jack Bbabbie Mukulu, 29, will provide vocational training and HIV/AIDS prevention education to 50 women caretakers of orphans and vulnerable children.

Human Artificial Vision, Mexico: Developed by Luis Octavio Ortigoza Ayala, 27, Human Artificial Vision will train 500 visually-impaired individuals in the use of a prosthesis enabling them to perceive images.

Sri Arunodayan Charitable Trust, India: Under the leadership of Iyyappan Subramanyan, 29, the Trust will construct a physiotherapy room serving 90 children with intellectual disabilities.

Youth Action for Change (YAC), Italy: Founded by Selene Biffi, 26, Youth Action for Change will publish an online youth magazine, Young Innovations Europe, aimed at showcasing youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Fired Up Media, United States: Launched by Richard Graves, 26, Fired Up Media will form seven new media teams, one from each continent, to report on the most compelling climate change stories in the world related to the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

A committee comprised of IYF staff and Starbucks partners (employees) selected the final grant recipients. To learn more about the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants program and the planned activities of all 20 grant recipients, visit www.youthactionnet.org.

About YouthActionNet®
Launched in 2001, YouthActionNet® seeks to develop a new generation of socially-conscious global citizens who create positive change in their communities, their countries, and the world. Through its fellowship programs, national institutes, dynamic website, grants, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, YouthActionNet® offers young change makers ideas, resources, and connections to like minds around the world. To date, YouthActionNet® has launched national programs in Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and Spain. For further information, visit http://www.youthactionnet.org.

About the International Youth Foundation (IYF)
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) invests in the extraordinary potential of young people. Founded in 1990, IYF builds and maintains a worldwide community of businesses, governments, and civil society organizations committed to empowering youth to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. IYF programs are catalysts of change that help young people obtain a quality education, gain employability skills, make healthy choices, and improve their communities. To learn more, visit www.iyfnet.org.

About the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants Program
The Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants program helps young people realize their natural potential to reinvent their local communities. The program is the primary vehicle through which The Starbucks Foundation invests in communities globally as part of the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to communities. Since launching the grants program in 2007, more than $1.5 million has been invested in youth-led initiatives around the world. The program is integral to the company achieving its goal by 2015 of engaging 50,000 young social entrepreneurs to innovate and take action in their communities. For more information, please visit www.starbucksfoundation.com/sef.

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International Youth Foundation

International Youth Foundation

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) invests in the extraordinary potential of young people. Founded in 1990, IYF builds and maintains a worldwide community of businesses, governments, and civil society organizations committed to empowering youth to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. IYF programs are catalysts of change that help young people obtain a quality education, gain employability skills, make healthy choices, and improve their communities. To learn more visit www.iyfnet.org.

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