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 and activities
Learn about 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.
Award winners at The Indonesia Social Responsibility Awards
The AWS Data Center Community in Indonesia was honored to receive 2 awards at The Indonesia Social Responsibility Awards (ISRA) 2023 held in June. We received a Gold Award in the Education category for our InSTEAM program where we conducted multiple activities, including a STEAM For The Future Challenge, STEAM Empowerment and Learning, and a Girls’ Tech Day event. To date, 81 schools, 138 teachers and 4,145 students across the West Java Province have benefited from this program.
We also received a Bronze Award in the Health Quality Improvement category, for supporting the build of infrastructure that has improved the quality of services for the community including clean water facilities, sanitation for schools and communities, COVID-19 vaccinations, and hygiene kits.
Launch of Think Big Space Number 20 in Mumbai, India
We have a new Think Big Space in Mumbai, the first in the Thane district. The space was built in a local government school and will benefit over 200 students from surrounding communities. The AWS Think Big Space program aims to develop a generation of students who can address challenges, think critically, and solve problems in the future through early inspiration and exposure to STEAM subjects. Abhijit Bangar, Municipal Commissioner of Thane, extended his heartfelt gratitude to AWS: “We are truly delighted with the initiative taken by AWS in bringing the Think Big Space program to our municipal schools. Together, we will empower our children to make the best use of this platform and foster their curiosity in the fields of STEAM.”
Students who have been supported by other Think Big Spaces across Mumbai have gone on to showcase their ideas at state and national-level competitions, which serve as great opportunities to excel and boost students' confidence.
Tnuvot Community Center Opening in Tel Aviv, Israel
Last year, AWS InCommunities and our Infrastructure Team in Tel Aviv met with representatives of the local community Moshav and commenced a collaborative project to design and fit out a center that would serve the needs of the whole community. As part of our efforts, our teams worked alongside the community by painting, installing wallpaper, assembling furniture as well as having a good time getting to know the neighbors. The result was the creation of a community center for all ages, providing a safe and welcoming space for local residents. Recently, we were thrilled to join the official launch of the Tnuvot Community Center, and to celebrate a space that will be being used for everything from parent and children groups, computer training and social events for seniors.
Thinking BIG in Virginia, USA
In 2019, AWS and Prince William County Schools (PWCS) launched a groundbreaking STEAM lab, envisioning a space where kids can access the latest technologies and be encouraged to ‘Think Big’ and solve real-world problems. Over the past four years, the River Oaks Elementary Think Big Space has served thousands of elementary school students from across the county. This successful lab inspired the growth of the Think Big program in the U.S. and around the world.
We recently hosted a celebration for the students, teachers, and school administrators to unveil a remodeled space and reveal several surprises with the help of elected officials, the Prince William County Superintendent, and the Prince William County School Board. We installed a book vending machine, made a surprise donation toward STEAM initiatives, and gifted flowers and gift cards to all the teachers and staff. In honor of National Robotics Week, we ended the day with a STEAM fair for the students, which included robots, music, and gifts.
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.