AWS and Community Outreach

Making a positive impact around the world with AWS InCommunities
Person working at a desk

Overview

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 employees donating their time to support causes they care about, we want to build a world where every person has the opportunity to live an authentic life with dignity and possibility on a healthy planet.

To benefit our communities in 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. We’re obsessed with being good neighbors, so we start by working closely with the community to best represent their interests and needs inside AWS.

How AWS InCommunities is committed to making a difference

There are four pillars that anchor the work of AWS InCommunities: STEAM Education, Local Skills Development, Sustainability and Hyperlocal Social Impact. Our pillars direct how we make a difference and positively serve our communities.

To help create the next generation of creative thinkers and future builders, AWS InCommunities provides students and families with innovative and engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (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 these fields and empowering them to pursue careers in STEAM.

To build a vibrant pipeline of talent skilled in cloud computing, AWS invests in developing people in the local community. We’ve partnered with local education organizations to create development and upskilling programs aimed at both students and individuals 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.

Amazon is on a path to powering our operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, as part of our commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. To support these sustainability efforts, AWS InCommunities has 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 more importantly, improve the livelihoods of local communities.

AWS InCommunities is committed to improving the livelihoods of our local communities in locations where we have infrastructure. We partner with nonprofits and community organizations, and use our resources, people, and passion for innovation to address local issues and challenges. Our efforts have supported communities during natural disasters, addressed resource shortages at schools and healthcare facilities, and providing 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.  

Girls' Tech Day

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.

Learn more

photo of girl with tablet
photo of boy with VR equipment

Think Big Space

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.

Learn more

Learn about our most recent community initiatives

Image of a school in India

Community initiatives in Hyderabad and Mumbai

In India, AWS InCommunities has renovated twelve pre-primary, primary and high schools, constructed five rural libraries, renovated four rural hospitals and provides ongoing support for a daily breakfast program for over 6,300 students. The Farm Pond project in Hyderabad intends to create a storage capacity of 22 million gallons of fresh water to support agricultural communities

People painting a building

Clean water for communities in Indonesia

AWS InCommunities supports community development programs in ten villages in West Java. The clean water projects implemented as part of the Water Positive initiative in Indonesia will deliver over 53 million gallons of water to local communities. Our teams volunteer in the construction and painting of these facilities alongside the local community in a show of continued support and collaboration with our neighbors.

Group photo of AWS Think Big Space in Japan

Japan’s first AWS Think Big Space

The first AWS Think Big Space in Japan has been established in a local elementary school in Tokyo. The space will be accessed by schools in the local area, and serve as a center of collaboration where students can experiment with hands-on STEAM activities as well as interact with other young people around the world.

Landscape image of Hermiston Oregon

Community solar program in eastern Oregon

To bring more clean energy to eastern Oregon communities, AWS InCommunities is contributing $1.2 million to the nonprofit GRID Alternatives to fund a community solar energy program. The contribution will support the installation of up to ten solar photovoltaic systems on rooftops of nonprofit organizations, food banks and other community buildings across Morrow and Umatilla counties.

Group of people standing in front of a sign

EnergyCloud launches new initiative to provide free hot water to 1,000 Irish homes using surplus renewable energy in Dublin, Ireland

Over 1,000 Irish homes are now 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 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.

Learn more about how we are making a positive impact around the world