Going all-out to connect with youth in Kaikohe has seen social enterprise ARCO recognised with a milestone award for ‘best community engagement’ by Contact Energy in the Launchpad accelerator programme.

ARCO proved they had a winning strategy with their wide-ranging and extensive engagement programme undertaken with community groups, schools, youth and family, and potential customers.

“The eleven teams are all at different stages of their development process, and at this time ARCO are in the thick of building their research base, their community relationships and partnerships. It’s these factors which will help to ensure their success in a place like Kaikohe,” said Contact’s head of sustainability and communications and co-judge, Tina Porou.

The judging panel was impressed by the approach ARCO have taken to engage with a wide group of stakeholders and the way they’ve built relationships and partnerships. “It’s been a multi-faceted community driven process, and we think that’s pretty fantastic,” Mrs Porou said.

The ‘best community engagement’ award is the second of three $1000 milestone awards sponsored by Contact Energy for Launchpad, alongside a $20,000 people’s choice award to be chosen by Element readers in the coming months.

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