How our game-changing bursary program is helping South Africa’s youth

According to the United Nations, “Education is a critical agent in addressing climate change” and that is why “Quality Education” is number 4 on the UN’s list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. But education is also critical in addressing many of the other problems that the world faces today: poverty, inequality, unemployment and the health crisis, to name but four. And in South Africa the challenges facing youth, who make up a third of the population, are immense. According to Professor David Everatt of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, “Youth in South Africa have not fared well under democracy. They are the hardest hit by unemployment and the lack of opportunities, and show high alienation.” Our mission For all of these reasons, we are actively promoting education in South Africa, with a particular emphasis on youngsters from the more disadvantaged communities where we operate. This is mainly done through scholarships and bursaries that offer young South Africans the opportunity to further their education. The latest example comes through our Garob Wind Farm in the Northern Cape. Specifically, on February 22 we organized a Career and Bursary Day at the province’s Gariep High School. This underscored our unwavering commitment to supporting the UN’s SDGs. Speaking at the event, our Country Manager Manuele Battisti reiterated our values of trust, responsibility, innovation and proactivity, adding that by putting people and the environment first, we can be confident about the future of sustainable progress in the country. “For EGP South Africa, sustainability is at the core of our relationships, from the communities where we operate, to our dealings with our partners and prospective clients. To this end, and to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, EGP South Africa recognizes the importance of driving youth involvement to meet these criteria,” he said. Eligibility “Enel Bursaries” are available to tertiary students in any field of study, as well as high school students from grades eight to 12, and cover the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo and the Free State provinces. To date, the program has seen 177 bursaries being awarded to students from these provinces. The bursaries for high school students cover school fees, stationery, textbooks, school uniforms and transport. In the case of tertiary students, they include registration and tuition fees and learning materials, as well as an allowance for meals and travel. Where applicable, they will also cover university accommodation or residence. Bursary applicants must meet certain criteria, with tertiary applicants needing to have completed their “Matric” qualifications, and must have been accepted by a university, or else they need to be currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, while those in high school must be in grades eight to 11. Furthermore, all applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum overall pass rate of 65%, and come from a household with an annual income of less than R357,000. Candidates with disabilities are also encouraged to apply. We are not alone Local government officials and other stakeholders in attendance at the event not only showed their support for the host school, but pledged assistance in various forms. These types of assistance include financial contributions toward the school’s needs, as well as commitments such as providing accommodation for an additional student during their first year of tertiary studies. The launch of our bursary program stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth of South Africa, particularly those from previously disadvantaged communities. Our dedication to sustainable development and youth empowerment is evident in this life-changing initiative, which not only supports academic pursuits but also nurtures the potential of future leaders in the renewable energy sector. “To quote a famous entrepreneur, sustainability is no longer about doing less harm, it is about doing more good. As EGP South Africa, we could not agree more and hope that these bursaries will enable our youth to do more good, empower them to realize their potential, and drive positive change in South Africa,” Battisti said in conclusion. For more information, please visit https://www.enelgreenpower.com/countries/africa/south-africa

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How our game-changing bursary program is helping South Africa’s youth

How our game-changing bursary program is helping South Africa’s youth