ABN AMRO and Young Impact: highlighting the positive power of the youth

ABN AMRO and Young Impact: highlighting the positive power of the youth

After a year largely derailed by the coronavirus, ABN AMRO and Young Impact are not only continuing their cooperation but also expanding it. Why? "This heavily burdened generation deserves our attention: they are our future."

Press release 29 January 2021 Sponsorship &

Those are the words of Sander Bestevaar, head of Brand Activation and Events at ABN AMRO. The bank is extending its cooperation with Young Impact, the undisputed catalyst of youth action in the Netherlands. This year, things are a little different than last time: ABN AMRO remains the main sponsor of Young Impact Day, the national youth action day, but is also adding further to the partnership with a number of joint initiatives. Not only are bank employees stepping up as coach for the nominees of the Young Impact Awards, but an impact programme is also being launched at hockey clubs with ties to ABN AMRO. All joint activities focus on the Climate and Equal Opportunity themes: "An approach entirely in line with the bank's updated strategy, which emphasises our commitment to sustainability and social impact," says Bestevaar. "The partnership also illustrates how ABN AMRO is focusing more and more on the generations to come."

You matter

"Coronavirus and the other major concerns of this era, such as loneliness and the climate, are placing a heavy burden on Dutch youth. An often misunderstood point is that this generation does have an enormous drive to make social impact. By playing into this drive and giving these young people a low-threshold opportunity to contribute, they gain more perspective and, above all, feel that their opinions and actions matter. That's what they need most," says Wendy Kakebeeke, director of Young Impact.

What does Young Impact do?

Young Impact is a youth organisation that over the past four years has blossomed into one of the Netherlands' most prominent social awareness organisations for the new generation. Their mission: to mobilise as many young people as possible to join forces for their fellow human beings and the world at large. Following extensive research, at the end of 2020 Young Impact established five central themes that are currently top of mind with our youth: climate, equal opportunity, diversity, health and society. These themes are woven into the fabric of each year in multiple ways. To name a few: impact programmes hosted at hundreds of schools, school take-overs during which a school is completely immersed for one day in the world of making impact, and the Young Impact Island, a youth camp with an in-depth programme organised during the summer holiday. The climax of the year is Young Impact Day on 2 June 2021, when thousands of young people will take part, be it on or around the central festival grounds, or from home! A highlight is the Young Impact Awards ceremony for the five categories. Young Impact Day is further boosted by an online campaign and a large-scale national challenge in which all young people can participate.

Making a world of difference

Today, ABN AMRO's clear social ambition is more relevant than ever: to leave our children a cleaner and fairer world. Given a platform and put into motion by Youth Impact, these young people with their refreshing new ideas make a meaningful contribution and provide much-needed hope for the future.

Cooperation

Young Impact is an initiative of NJR, NLvoorelkaar, Wij zijn JONG, and CJP.