Avolon was delighted to provide funding to the An Cosán Virtual Community College “VCC” as they take the next step towards scaling the impact of VCC globally and to ensure learners can access a high quality social action model of education.

Avolon was delighted to provide funding to the An Cosán Virtual Community College “VCC” as they take the next step towards scaling the impact of VCC globally and to ensure learners can access a high quality social action model of education. As part of the VCC four year strategic plan, the funds will be used to create online introductory courses which will engage 1,000 students in online learning both locally and abroad. The courses will be developed in consultation with a number of NGOs and be trialled in Ireland. By investing in the first phase of VCC’s strategic goal, Avolon will be laying the framework to help bring the VCC model to communities around the world and committing further to supporting the great work of the Liz Waters and her team at the VCC. About VCC VCC aims to address educational disadvantage across communities in Ireland and abroad by offering a range of on-line accredited educational programmes in community leadership and social enterprise development. They combine face to face workshops with online lectures and assignments using the latest educational technology. Students have control of their own learning and can study at home, on the move and on their own schedule. VCC’s aim is to break the cycle of intergenerational unemployment and poverty through education. They believe that education is the fast track out of poverty for individuals and families and that if you can educate just one member of a family to third level, then the future of not just the individual but the entire generation is impacted – this is the “one generation” solution. VCC is led by Liz Waters who is the director and driving force of VCC. Liz has been involved in community education for over 25 years and her dedication and passion for educations fuels social innovation. She believes that where you live and how much money you have, should not have a bearing on how much education you get and believes that education can break the cycle of poverty. To learn more about the An Cosán VCC, please visit their website at http://ancosanvcc.com/