AMSTERDAM — A life-changing experience will be within reach for even more children, young people and families, now that a global partnership between SOS Children’s Villages and AkzoNobel has been extended for another three years.

Part of the Let’s Colour initiative, the collaboration has already benefited more than 20,000 children and young people all over the world for the past three years. Now it continues, offering more practical skills training and renewals of living spaces to give young people, families at risk, and children without adequate parental care more hope for a bright future.

“The partnership with SOS Children’s Villages and the positive impact our teams have made in the lives of young people around the world make me very proud,” said David Menko, AkzoNobel’s Chief Marketing Officer. “I’m very excited that we will continue this work together as part of our People. Planet. Paint. sustainability strategy.”

“We’re delighted to renew our partnership with AkzoNobel, a partner that cares about the well-being of children and young people,” says Steffen Braasch, interim CEO of SOS Children’s Villages International. “AkzoNobel’s paint experts help us create colorful and positive living spaces for program participants, while the skills, knowledge and experience shared by employees help young people on their journey to self-reliance.”

Almost 3,000 young people have been trained throughout the partnership, with more than 700 AkzoNobel volunteers taking part. An additional 13,000 children and young people have benefited from the company’s donations to local education and renovation programs.

The collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages started in 2017 with a pilot to improve the employability of young people in Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria and South Africa. As a member of the global YouthCan! initiative, the partnership now offers painter academies, soft skills programs, mentoring and traineeships across 15 countries, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.