OREANDA-NEWS.  Ford Korea Sales Services recently announced the winners of the 2015 Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants and held an event at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul.
 
At the ceremony, Ford Korea introduced 10 environmental conservation related groups and individuals, along with their proposed activities. Two of the winners from last year’s program, ‘Protecting the Hantan River Movement Organization’ and ‘Mother Nature (DAE-JA-YEON),’ also participated in the event and shared their experiences related to environmental protection.
 
“This year’s applicants were very passionate and had diverse and unique ideas about ways to conserve the environment,” said Hyo-Hyun Sung, professor and judge, Ewha Woman’s University. “I expect that such hard work will raise awareness about environmental conservation and further boost wider efforts by the society in protecting the environment.”
 
A total of 10 organizations and individuals selected as the grantees of the 2015 FCEG include:
 
-  Giltorebi Nature School: To run youth programs to visit environmental facilities and field trips
-   BringYourCup: To encourage and promote the use of tumbler by installing booth at major universities in Seoul
-   Mountain and Nature’s Friend Uiryung People: To operate a conservation program for Uyiryung track through participation of citizens and members and to distribute ecology maps of Uyiryung track
-   The Biodiversity Foundation: To operate educational program and to deliver knowledge on evolution and ecology through insect studies
-   Korean Women’s Environmental Network: To raise awareness on the impact of disposable plastic on the marine ecosystem and to run an interactive education program
-  Transition Town Sinchon: To educate people on the topic of ‘sustainable transition’ and to plan and participate in realizing change in local community
-  Hyun Chan Jeong (Green Wrapper): To deliver environmental message to the younger generation by directly developing and using wrapper
-   Korea Recycling Crafts Agency: To train recycling crafts instructor and to issue relevant license
-   Korea Environmental Education Center: To study environmental education, train instructor, develop teaching materials and programs, and provide education on various topics to a wide variety of people
-   Hwang Yoon Director: To reproduce the research and image records collected over the last ten years by Saemangeum Civil Research Group into a documentary film
 
Established in 1983 by Ford Europe, Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants has been successfully carried out in over 60 countries, supporting hundreds of environmental projects. In Korea, the program began in 2002 and has served as a strong foundation for 91 projects raising over KRW 500 million in sponsorships for individuals and groups that are involved in environmental protection activities. The program has been highly acclaimed because it has evolved into a consistent program that both promotes coexistence with local communities and focuses on the protection of the environment and natural resources.
 
“With Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants, which celebrates its 14th anniversary this year, Ford Korea had put much effort into environmental conservation in Korea and contributed to the development of local communities,” said Jae Jung, president and CEO, Ford Korea. “In order to grow together with local communities in a healthy environment, Ford Korea will continue to have a keen interest and provide sponsorships.”
 
Meanwhile, Ford has also held the ‘2015 Ford Eco Project’ earlier this year as part of 2015 Ford CEG program. The idea contest, held on Ford Korea’s official Facebook page, invited fans to share creative ways to transform wasted materials into something new through the process of ‘Up-Cycling.’ Ford Korea chose three of the most creative and feasible ideas and made them into actual products. A walking frame made from an old bicycle; a clutch made from a milk carton; and a clock made from kkwaenggwari, a traditional Korean gong, were all recreated and presented to the winners of the contest.
 
About Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants in Korea:
 
Entering its 14th year since its inception in 2002, the 2015 Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants program is supported by the Ministry of Environment, and recognizes and supports individuals or groups working to preserve the environment and ecosystem, even in unseen areas. Ford Korea has funded 91 projects in 14 years and has been highly acclaimed for its contributions to the support of local environmental activities.
 
The Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants program has been successfully carried out in over 60 countries and has awarded over USD $5 million globally to hundreds of environmental projects. The program has played a central role in protecting wildlife, forests and restoring cultural inheritance and cultural areas in the Asia Pacific region over the last 10 years.