AkzoNobel and SOS Children's Villages are joining forces to use education and renovation to drive a positive impact on youth unemployment. The partnership aims to reach the young people of SOS Children's Villages with AkzoNobel's "Let's Colour" program and professional training through AkzoNobel's painter academies around the world. The partnership kicks off with three countries in 2017: Brazil, Nigeria and Indonesia.

In addition, the trained young painters will collaborate with AkzoNobel volunteers to renovate and improve the living spaces of SOS Children's Villages program participants.

Kei Heikkilä, Head of International Corporate Partnerships at SOS Children's Villages says: "We are delighted to welcome AkzoNobel as our new international corporate partner. Our experience at SOS Children's Villages shows that a collaborative approach actively contributes to the employability of young people coming from a disadvantaged background. Together with a partner like AkzoNobel, who has all the color expertise needed to make people's lives more colorful and inspiring, we help prepare young people for the job market and to lead independent lives."

Rainer Schmidt, Global Director Marketing Consumer at AkzoNobel's Decorative Paints business says: "We believe in the power of paint to uplift communities and make living spaces more fun, liveable and enjoyable. The partnership with SOS Children's Villages is a way to reach more communities with our Let's Colour program, which aims to help children and families in need, by improving their chances of independence through education and creating happy homes where they can flourish."

The partnership was announced today in Johannesburg at the launch of the youth employability initiative YouthCan!, together with Deutsche Post DHL Group and the Youth Career Initiative, among others. The YouthCan! initiative brings together AkzoNobel,  SOS Children's Villages, and other corporate organizations and partners to focus on creating opportunities for young people.