YGAP Five-Cent Campaign

Generation Y have copped a lot of flack for a tendency towards a lazy, selfish attitude. But one group of young entrepreneurs are proving the critics wrong.

Launched in 2008 by a group of friends who wanted to combine their love of travel and volunteering, YGAP (Y Generation Against Poverty) uses creative fundraising and innovative social enterprising to support poverty-alleviating projects across Australia, Asia and Africa.

Rolling out in its second year this May is YGAP’s 5 Cent Campaign, an initiative to collect people’s unwanted five-cent coins from across the nation.

Built on the foundation that most Australians see little use for these pesky silver coins, the 2013 campaign hopes to raise money for youth education in Rwanda, aid former sex slaves in Cambodia and feed the underprivileged in our own backyard.

The initiative has recruited a number of well-known local ambassadors who are keen to spread the word, including Miss Universe contestant Sherri-Lee Biggs, footballer Nick Riewoldt, model Kate Peck and radio personalities Brigette Duclos and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann.

Inspired by the success of the inaugural campaign which raised an impressive $50,000 (that’s 1 million 5 cent coins!) YGAP founder and CEO Elliot Costello says he’s thrilled to be launching the campaign again in 2013.

“It was amazing to see so many Australian’s get behind our first campaign and bring such value to the humble five cent coin. The recipients were extremely grateful and many have been able to implement some big changes with the donation.

“We’ve had so many enquiries about when the 2013 campaign will launch, as many people haven’t stopped collecting! We hope to inspire Australians to raise even more this year and assist further communities in need,” Costello tells us.

Keen to get your home or office involved? Jump on the Five Cent Campaign website to register and receive your collection container. Coins can then be deposited at any ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac or Bank of Melbourne Branch on May 31.

In the words of YGAP, use your change to be the change.