AWS and Community Outreach
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to making a positive difference around the world. Whether it’s using technology to solve the world’s most pressing issues, or through our employees donating their time to support causes they care about, AWS is dedicated to building a world where every person has the opportunity to live a life of dignity on a healthy planet.
To make a positive impact, specifically in the regions where we build and operate our global infrastructure, we established a program called AWS InCommunities. AWS InCommunities launches long-term, innovative programs that will have a lasting impact in our regions around the world where we work, live, and raise our families. AWS InCommunities is obsessed with being good neighbors, and we start with the community and work backwards to represent infrastructure communities inside AWS.
How AWS InCommunities is committed to making a difference
There are four pillars that anchor the work of AWS InCommunities. All programs align to these four pillars: STEAM Education, Access, and Equity; Local Tech Upskilling, Environmental Stewardship; Employee Engagement.
To make a long-term impact in the communities where AWS builds infrastructure, the four pillars direct how we make a difference.
STEAM Education, Access, and Equity
To help create the next generation of creative thinkers and future builders in the communities where we have a physical presence, AWS InCommunities provides students and families with innovative and engaging STEAM learning opportunities and pathways. Our efforts are aimed at providing equitable STEAM education and access by welcoming learners that have long been underrepresented in STEAM and empowering them to pursue careers in STEAM.
Local Tech Upskilling
To build a vibrant pipeline of talent skilled in cloud computing, AWS invests in developing local talent in the community, because we value a workforce that represents diverse backgrounds. We’ve intentionally partnered with local education organizations to create development and upskilling programs aimed at both students and individuals re-entering the workforce to connect them with internships and careers in our data centers and across AWS. Our objective is for new professionals specialized in cloud technology to be fully prepared to enter the job market and contribute to the local economy.
Environmental stewardship
AWS InCommunities fully supports AWS Sustainability goals, which focuses on achieving 100 percent renewable usage for our global AWS infrastructure footprint. To support these broader sustainability efforts, we’ve partnered with local education organizations and nonprofit groups that share our passion for a greener planet. Through our sponsorship of long-term environmental projects, we collectively work together to get to net zero and most importantly, improve the livelihoods of local communities.
Hyperlocal Programs
AWS InCommunities is committed to improving the livelihoods of our local communities in locations where we have infrastructure. To meet this goal with maximum impact, we actively listen to communities and stakeholders, and work backwards from their needs to address urgent and hyperlocal challenges. These conversations with our stakeholders play a vital role in determining community initiatives as well as the ongoing path for support that ties back to our pillars. Our efforts have supported during natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, resource shortages at schools and training opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Global Signature Programs
AWS is dedicated to inspiring future builders, especially those from underrepresented and underserved communities who reside in areas where we have a physical presence. Through our Signature Programs, we help increase thousands of students’ access to STEAM education opportunities in fun and imaginative ways. We are intentional about adding the “A” to “STEM” because we know that the arts help build future-ready students who develop into well-rounded and creative problem solvers.
AWS CloudRoom is an educational volunteer initiative powered by AWS InCommunities that provides students aged 9-14 with learning experiences focused on the Cloud and emerging cloud technologies. AWS CloudRoom will take place in select regions from September 28 to October 28, 2022.
Register here and learn more.
AWS Girls' Tech Day is a program that aims to educate, inspire, and empower girls and young women aged 8 to 24 to pursue careers in technology. It encourages future female builders to Think Big and ignite their imaginations through STEAM, as well as participate in fun and engaging workshops and explore exciting career paths in technology.
Register here and learn more.
AWS Think Big Spaces provide a place beyond the standard classroom for students to explore and cultivate an interest in STEAM and STEAM related careers. These labs encourage a hands-on approach where students think big to solve real-world problems.
Recent events
Below are some examples of how we are making a positive impact around the world.
EnergyCloud launches new initiative to provide free hot water to 1,000 Irish homes using surplus renewable energy
Over 1,000 Irish homes will soon be equipped to benefit from free hot water with the installation of EnergyCloud’s smart devices. The pilot initiative, which was announced as part of a collaboration between not-for-profit EnergyCloud, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), will enable families in 1,000 Clúid Housing homes to receive free tanks of hot water via an EnergyCloud smart device. The device uses surplus renewable energy, which would otherwise be wasted, to heat immersion tanks. Installations are underway and are scheduled to be completed by end of March 2023.
AWS and Amazon provides shelters for earthquake survivors in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia
Months after the earthquake occurred, thousands of people are still displaced from their homes, with most of them living in inadequate tents shared with other families. Much help is still needed during this transition phase from emergency response to early recovery. To this end, AWS and Amazon collaborated to provide aid, which included 130 temporary shelters, 283 packages of bedding and shelter kits, multipurpose assistance to 1,000 families, 7 emergency toilets, and counselling for trauma healing.
First AWS Think Big Space opening of 2023 – Umatilla High School in PDX
On January 27, 2023 Eastern Oregon University hosted a Ribbon Cutting for its GO-STEM Mobile Maker Lab. Amazon Web Services (AWS) in partnership with several other organizations, provided support for the mobile lab’s creation and ability to service 7 rural, counties in Eastern Oregon. The Mobile Maker Lab and staff are the methods of delivery to direct instruction for students, professional development for teachers, and community resources for those needing/wanting access to technology and skills leading to career options. Specifically designed to serve regions where there are fewer resources and STEM opportunities, the aim is to provide students, teachers, and community members with access and knowledge that can help propel many to career options in STEM. Learn more about our impact in Oregon.
AWS InCommunities is supporting the 2023 Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge
To help build and nurture a pipeline of the next generation of future talent in the space sector, AWS InCommunities is sponsoring the AVA Challenge in Australia. The AVA Challenge is a nine-step STEM design sprint based on challenges facing NASA’s Artemis and the Australian space industry, and is open to school students studying STEM related subjects. AVA teams choose from a set of five scenarios and design a solution. A number of teams will then be selected to pitch their ideas at the Young Space Explorers event in Sydney. We recently called 'lift off' for the challenge with the launch webinar hosted by Fizzics Education. We were joined by AWS’ Head of Space and Satellite Asia Pacific, who shared the incredibly exciting opportunities and immense growth in the space sector, including how AWS is enabling organizations across the globe to drive innovation in space-based work.
AWS sponsors Women and Girls of Science event at the Montreal Science Center
On Saturday, February 11, AWS InCommunities sponsored the 6th edition of the Women and Girls of Science event at the Montreal Science Centre. Designed to inspire and showcase how diverse science and technology can be, the event featured interactive activities, workshops and fascinating women from various organizations, schools and businesses, including our very own, Manon Yelle who spoke on a panel during the keynote session.
The museum welcomed nearly 3,600 visitors and the AWS exhibit booth hosted over 700 girls and young women. At the AWS booth, guests participated in hands-on activities that included making their own LED art mini canvases and binary code wearables as well as meeting AWS Solution Architects who demonstrated AWS products through RoboGuessr: AWS-powered robotic drawing game and the breaking language barriers using AI program.
Coding event for students in South Africa and Ireland
It’s Tangible time! Close to 50 students from 8 different schools in Ireland and South Africa participated in the first international Tangible Tournament in December 2022. While Irish students met in the AWS Think Big Space in Tallaght, South African competitors joined via video chat. Excitement and enthusiasm rose as 5 challenges had to be completed in 30 minutes. Scores were close (19 to 20) with South Africa securing the win. A fantastic day for students, teachers and partners alike – and a great warm-up for the upcoming tournaments in 2023, watch out for it.
Learn more about AWS InCommunities programs around the world
More ways AWS is giving back
AWS Educate is Amazon’s global initiative to provide students and educators with the resources needed to accelerate cloud-related learning.
AWS GetIT is an initiative designed by AWS to encourage girls aged 12-13 to consider a career in tech, challenging long standing gender stereotypes.
AWS is committed to running our business in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
AWS Disaster Response enables organizations to access cloud services at the edge, even in the harshest conditions.