“I was really excited to start working with projects on the ground again, where the change is palpable and progress can really be felt, and I can’t wait to get the chance to go visit and report on these inspiring people making changes in their communities.” – Ben Jervey, Pepsi Refresh Planet Ambassador
The Pepsi Refresh Project is a $20 million dollar program launched by Pepsico in February 2010 to award grants of $5,000 to $250,000 each month to individuals, companies and celebrities submitting ideas for projects that will have a positive impact on their community. If you have an idea that will bring a positive benefit in your community, now’s your chance to submit it, get support from others, and a chance for the money to see your idea spring to life. Get your ideas in order and take a shot. It’s also great to just go to the web site, read the ideas submitted and see what people are doing around the country. You can vote for your favorite ideas and might get some of your own from reading about others! So, whether you have an idea or just want to read the ideas and vote, take a look at the site. There’s also a Pepsi Refresh Project Facebook page.
How to Submit Your Idea
The Project accepts new ideas on a monthly basis – up to 1,000 – in six categories. March is already full with 1,093 ideas. The top 100 runners up from the previous month are ‘rolled over’ into the next month for another chance to win. There are four levels of awards – $250,000; $50,000; $25,000; and $5,000. Ideas receive votes via the internet, and 32 ideas become finalists – the top 2 with the most votes in the $250,000 category and the top 10 in the other 3 award categories. Once vetted, finalists become winners. The web site has great instructions for submitting your ideas, and lots of advice as well. The categories for submission are Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education.
February Finalist- GreenShields
Last month in The Planet category a 14 year-old and his friends in Illinois became finalists in the $25,000 category for their GreenShields project which is developing a program to retrofit school buses to be more aerodynamic and therefore more energy efficient. Not a bad idea, and they are on their way. In February, The Planet category only had 2 finalists out of the 32 finalists – so it’s underrepresented among the categories – although admittedly some of the ideas in other categories include planet-friendly solutions.
Ben Jervey – Pepsi Refresh Planet Ambassador
Each submission category has an Ambassador, and The Planet’s is Ben Jervey. Ben writes about climate, energy, and environmental issues in a weekly environmental column for GOOD Magazine, The New Ideal. He also recently launched Greenlight, a citizen journalism platform that focuses on the environment. Check out Ben’s Pepsi Refresh blog – it’s something new all the time!
KissMyCountry had a chance to ask Ben some questions about the Pepsi Refresh Project and his role as Ambassador. How does Ben feel about the chance to be Planet Ambassador? “For the past couple of years I’ve been working on broader and broader ‘bird’s eye view’ energy and climate issues – punctuated by the really wide perspective Copenhagen climate talks in December. At this level, it’s really hard to feel the forward progress. While crucial work, the slow pace of change on this meta-scale is always frustrating and often disappointing. I was really excited to start working with projects on the ground again, where the change is palpable and progress can really be felt, and I can’t wait to get the chance to go visit and report on these inspiring people making positive changes in their communities,” says Ben.
Has anything surprised him about being a part of the Refresh Project? Ben says, ”Only that The Planet category is, as you mention, underrepresented. I know from my work that there’s no shortage of brilliant, worldchanging ideas in the environmental realm, and so many that could really use the boost that a Refresh grant would give them. We’ve just got to make sure they know about the Project and get their proposals in!” Ben, we couldn’t agree with you more. We hope to keep in touch as you continue as Planet Ambassador. Keep up the great work!
Get Started Now For April
March is full as we mentioned – that 1,000 idea limit fills up fast. However, the FAQ page outlines how to get ready for quick submission when the site reopens for new ideas in April, so take a look, prepare, and see what happens. You might get the money to make a dream come true!
