Enel Green Power’s game-changing bursary programme to uplift SA’s youth
Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP South Africa) has announced the awarding of another bursary through its Garob Wind Farm, an initiative aimed at empowering South African youth from previously disadvantaged communities in which EGP South Africa operates with opportunities to further their education.
The company’s recent Career and Bursary Day at the Gariep High School in the Northern Cape underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and marking a significant milestone in its efforts to foster sustainable progress in society.
Speaking at the event, Manuele Battisti, country manager at EGP South Africa, reiterated the company’s values of trust, responsibility, innovation and proactivity, adding that by putting people and the environment first, EGP South Africa is 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 we operate in, to our dealings with our partners and prospective clients. To this end, and to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, EGP South Africa recognises the importance of driving youth involvement to meet these criteria,” he says.
The Enel Bursaries are available to tertiary students in any field of study, as well as high school students from grades 8 to 12, and cover the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo and the Free State provinces. To date, the programme has already seen 177 bursaries being awarded to students from various communities where EGP South Africa operates.
The bursaries for high school students include school fees, stationery, textbooks, school uniforms and transport fees. In the case of tertiary students, the bursaries include registration and tuition fees and learning materials, as well as an allowance for meals and travel. Where applicable, it will also cover university accommodation or residence.
Bursary applicants must meet certain criteria, with tertiary applicants needing to have completed their Matric qualifications, and been accepted into a university or currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, while those in high school must be in grades 8 to 11.
Furthermore, all applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum overall pass rate of 65%, and come from a household with an income of less than R357 000 per annum. Candidates with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
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. This included 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 the Enel Green Power Bursary programme stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth of South Africa, particularly those from previously disadvantaged communities. EGP South Africa’s 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 these bursaries will enable our youth to do more good, empower them to realise their potential, and drive positive change in South Africa,” concludes Battisti.
