Since 2008, philanthropic initiatives are celebrated through the BNP Paribas Prize for Individual Philanthropy. Winners of the 5th edition were announced at a ceremony held in Paris on the evening of June 20, 2012. Let’s focus on the Special Prize Laureate.

The Greenhouse charity was founded in 2002 by Michael de Giorgio and a number of his professional associates. Now up and running for some 10 years, Greenhouse seeks to change the lives of young people from some of the most deprived areas of London through high-level sports and performing arts training programmes.

Greenhouse runs over 45 full-time programmes in conjunction with state, private and special needs schools and local clubs, using specialised coaches who work with the young people before, during and after school and in the school holidays. The coaches, who also act as mentors, aim to engage with the young people, pass on their experience and help them towards better educational achievements and higher self-esteem.

Michael de Giorgio has been honorary Chief Executive of the Greenhouse charity since its foundation ten years ago. In 2009/2010, a total of 10,000 young people benefitted from Greenhouse programmes in over 40 schools and clubs. Greenhouse is today supported by 120 volunteers.

Find out more about this year’s winners and their initiatives.