YSI engages primarily transition year students with programmes that encourage young people to re-imagine and improve the societies they live in. The donation will facilitate the many YSI student-led projects aimed at improving our communities and provide an environmentally friendly solution to YSI’s IT needs.
AMI, Ireland’s leading secure IT retirement company, today announces a new sponsorship with Young Social Innovators (YSI) which includes an initial donation of IT equipment worth in excess of €30,000. AMI, as YSI’s Computer Sponsor, will be supporting Ireland’s largest social innovation and entrepreneurial education programme for 12 to 18 year-old teens. In this role, AMI will supply IT hardware which will be used to facilitate the many student-led projects aimed at improving communities.
Since its founding in 2001, more than 130,000 students have engaged in YSI programmes with 7,000 young people taking part in 2016/17 alone. Over the years young innovators have led more than 5,000 innovative projects designed to address social challenges important to them. AMI is eager to support YSI in fulfilling its goals by reaching more young people across the country and enriching their social innovation learning experience.
AMI specialises in secure IT retirement services and ranks among the world’s top seven companies for the quality of its secure data sanitisation processes, according to the world’s leading IT disposal standards body, ADISA. One quarter of Ireland’s 200 largest IT user organisations already have their old IT devices retired by AMI.
With its experience and resources, AMI is in the ideal position to support YSI as its Computer Sponsor. AMI works to reuse IT equipment where possible and by doing so will offer an environmentally friendly solution to YSI’s IT hardware needs. The donated hardware has been installed in YSI’s premises and will enable students to work on-site and in collaboration with the senior YSI team to hone their innovative solutions.
Philip McMichael, managing director of AMI, said: “Since encountering the work of Young Social Innovators, we have been bowled over by the scale of its ambition. From the innovative and impactful projects developed through the programme, to the imparting of key business and leadership skills to young people, the benefits of Young Social Innovators are huge. That is why we at AMI are delighted to partner with YSI and to support the growth of this fantastic initiative.”
Rachel Collier, co-founder and CEO of Young Social Innovators, said: “YSI’s mission is to develop lifelong skills in young people and empower them to have a real impact in society. Every year we see particularly passionate projects on conservation and the protection of our environment. AMI’s work in re-using and extending the life of IT equipment, coupled with their commitment to a zero landfill policy and environmentally responsible disposal, make them a perfect partner for us.”
“We are committed to growing our programmes and reaching more and more schools, educators and students each year. We are delighted to welcome AMI to our Companies for Social Innovation Network and look forward to their continued support. This will go a long way to ensuring that the power of youth is harnessed to tackle key issues in our society.”