GUELPH, ON, Sept. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership has been named the 2015 Clean50 Top Project of the Year for sustainable development and clean capitalism by Delta Management Group.  IMPACT! was recognized for helping young Canadians become more effective sustainability champions, and being a model for corporate-community partnerships.

IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership is a one-of-a-kind program focused on empowering university and college students to be real and effective agents for positive change in their communities. National in scope, it brings together a diverse range of students with a unique blend of talents and knowledge who share a passion for sustainability.

IMPACT! was one of 15 projects nominated for the top project, five of which were short-listed for their innovation, overall impact and the influential example they set for others. The top five projects were presented to the 2015 cohort of individual Clean50 award winners, who voted IMPACT! as the top project of the year.

"We are honoured to have IMPACT! included on this list of meaningful sustainability projects,"  said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "IMPACT! is a true collaboration and it wouldn't exist without the dedicated engagement and support from our staff and partners in the co-operative, educational and non-profit sectors."

The Clean15 Projects came about as an offshoot of the Clean50 Award, as many outstanding projects by companies and large teams were brought to the forefront when evaluating candidates. The Clean15 project awards celebrate and recognize achievement while also aiming to stimulate more of the same.

In addition to the award for IMPACT!, Clean50 also recognized Tom Ewart, Manager of Sustainability & Citizenship at The Co-operators, as an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism in the Emerging Leaders category, in part for his work on the IMPACT! Program

To view the entire Clean15 and Clean50 awards list, please visit http://clean50.com. More information on IMPACT! can be found at www.impactyouthsustainability.ca.

IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership is a partnership with The Natural Step Canada, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, Wilfrid Laurier University, Lambton College, Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, the international student organization AIESEC, and the David Suzuki Foundation.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators