Smurfit Westrock Van Mierlo, located in Turnhout, Belgium, is proud to be a partner of turnUp academy—an initiative that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Thanks to the support of the Smurfit Westrock Foundation and the engagement of our local employees, a new generation is gaining access to opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

The turnUp academy offers Saturday school to young people from the fifth year of primary school through the first year of secondary school, most of whom come from disadvantaged families. For three years, these young learners come together every Saturday to discover new things, explore a variety of topics and—above all—get to know themselves, their strengths and their passions. The concept is inspired by successful projects in Amsterdam, Brussels and other major cities, and aims to reduce high school dropouts and strengthen educational opportunities for children often overlooked by the mainstream system.

Thanks to the support of the Smurfit Westrock Foundation, the project became a reality in Turnhout. Without this support, it simply wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. But from day one, Smurfit Westrock has also been deeply involved at a content level. We are part of the academy’s local advisory board, help shape the project’s direction and are a committed partner every step of the way.

 

Our own employees also lead workshops on Saturdays. The children are introduced to the worlds of packaging design, technology and production planning by our colleagues. Careers that may have seemed distant or unfamiliar to them suddenly become tangible, human and inspiring. That first contact with the professional world leaves a lasting impression. It opens new perspectives for the future.

A remarkable and valuable side effect is the involvement of the parents. They get to see their child in a different light, recognize their strengths and become more connected to their child’s learning journey. It also strengthens their relationship with the school. For the children, this results in extra support and encouragement—giving their self-confidence a visible boost.

Our commitment to the project has already been renewed for the coming school year. We continue to participate with enthusiasm and conviction. It’s a truly beautiful initiative that we support wholeheartedly—not just with resources, but with people, knowledge and time. And we will keep building. Together. Because sometimes, a better future simply begins on a Saturday.

 

Smurfit Westrock has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and championing the vulnerable. Each year our employees continue to generously give their time, energy, and expertise, to empower communities, encourage wellbeing and inspire future generations.

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