TUI Care Foundation and Plan International: Working together to empower the younger generations worldwide

• The partnership strategy emphasises female empowerment and capacity building in local communities, aiming to provide new opportunities for the younger generations
• Both organisations agree to further develop and expand a global cooperation that has already shown successful results in different destinations
• TUI Academy programme is at the heart of the international partnership with projects currently running in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic

Since its establishment TUI Care Foundation has been working together with Plan International to develop educational initiatives which provide life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged youth and, especially, women. With education being one of the core pillars of the TUI Care Foundation and Plan International, this global partnership holds significant potential to further expand. Plan International has a proven track record in creating opportunities, protecting the rights of children and promoting equality for girls all around the world. Together, both organisations are now working on far-reaching programmes that build upon the strengths of local communities and its people, as well as on the potential offered by the ever growing tourism sector.

The joint projects touch on diverse issues depending on each individual location, from rehabilitation of the ecosystem to providing job opportunities for youth. Projects are adapted to meet the needs of each community following the goal of working global and acting local. The core aims behind the joint work will remain the same in each case: improving collaborative social structures, building capacity in local communities, providing opportunities for the younger generations and especially strengthening the role of girls and women in society.

Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TUI Care Foundation, explains: 'Together with Plan International we are working to empower local communities in destinations around the world. We intend to make a lasting difference, by providing young women and men with the tools they need to build the self-determined future they cherish. By unlocking the talent in the younger generations, we can help to build thriving communities.

Kathrin Hartkopf, Director of the foundation Stiftung Hilfe mit Plan, points out: 'To foster these talents in these young generations sustainability is a key driver in all our joint projects. We are not only giving youth the chance of a decent education and job opportunities, but also strengthening the local community and their economy. We want to make sure, that children, youth and their families benefit from the joint engagement of the TUI Care Foundation, Plan International and Foundation Hilfe mit Plan also in the future. We are looking forward to growing our partnership with the TUI Care Foundation, to be able to make a real and long lasting change in children's lives.'

A programme of pivotal relevance for this partnership is the TUI Academy programme, which was already brought to life in collaboration with Plan International in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. Individually addressing the challenges for young people is a key aspect of TUI Care Foundation´s and Plan International's joint approach worldwide. In Vietnam, the vocational training project is part of a bigger initiative that strengthens household economic security via self-help saving groups and raises awareness on protection for disadvantaged children, youth and their families. In the Dominican Republic, the educational initiative is linked to the initiative 'Down to Zero', which focuses on combating the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Liaising with other local organizations and placing challenges in its context helps create real opportunities and a sense of ownership by the local community.

Plan International´s global presence and vast experience allows for knowledge transfer among projects and sharing of successful models. Long established local networks help to strengthen outcomes efficiently and further promote ownership by the local community and institutions.