community
Meta is proud to be part of communities across the globe
We’re committed to playing a positive role and investing in the long-term vitality of the communities in which we operate.
Odense – denmark
Odense Data Centre
In 2022, Meta was proud to announce its support to UngOdense (Youth Department) of the Odense Municipality to develop the Recycling Factory – a permanent outdoor interactive recycling and sustainability exhibit that will make hands-on learning about sustainability and the circular economy accessible to youths of all ages.
Highlights:
- The Recycling Factory will include exhibits and workstations in two 40ft shipping containers.
- Young people will acquire skills to transform plastic sourced from the surrounding area into useful materials.
- The exhibits will focus on several topics, including metal recycling and circularity education. Particularly metallic parts from discarded computers, where visitors can learn how to use aluminum, copper, zinc, and other metals to create new products.
- Workshops have been designed to educate young people on solar cells and wind turbines that both generate power for the factory and will help students learn about energy consumption and green energy production.
- The materials used to build the Recycling Factory will come from recycled materials, wherever possible.
Virginia – UNITED STATES
Henrico Data Center
In February 2024, Meta awarded the James River Association a Data Center Community Action Grant to support its new James A. Buzzard River Education Center. A landmark on Richmond’s historic riverfront, it will strengthen the organization’s efforts to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources. The Center will provide hands-on environmental education experiences for thousands of students while helping Virginia reach its goal of giving every student three meaningful experiences with the watershed before they graduate. Meta’s support will equip the new center with cutting edge technology including an interactive display for visitors and mobile Smart boards for students.
Highlights:
- The Center is strategically located in Richmond’s East End to provide greater river access for underserved communities.
- The center includes flexible classroom spaces and a “riverquarium” that will allow students to see their local environment from a global perspective.
- This grant will help students in grades 3-12 experiment with simulations on different STEM learning tools around math and science.
united states
Be Pro, Be Proud
In 2023, Meta took great pride in partnering with Be Proud Be Proud to bring skilled trade workforce hands-on learning to our data center communities. Be Proud Be Proud’s mission is to foster a new era of pride, progress, and professionalism in North America’s skilled trade workforce. Together we supported the deployment of mobile workshops that leverage the power of virtual reality (VR) to provide young people with a firsthand exploration of skilled trade careers available within their respective regions. This initiative reflects our commitment to support our data center communities with potential career paths in the skilled trades workforce.
Highlights:
- Within our data center regions of North Carolina, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Illinois, we have actively sponsored programs aimed at introducing over 6,500 students to hands-on skilled trades workforce development experiences in 2023. We look forward to furthering this partnership to include Texas in 2024.
- The Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshops are a collaborative effort between industry leaders, educators, and state leaders to inspire and develop the next generation workforce.
TEXAS – United states
Fort Worth Data Center
In 2024, Meta helped closed the funding gap for the expansion of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FONC) Lotus Marsh Boardwalk by providing a major donation to the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R). First built in August 1978, the Boardwalk helps to serve as a community space that fosters research and provides hands-on outdoor science and environmental education for all ages. Now composed of 3,650 acres of walking trails, bison, and wildlife, the Nature Center welcomes over 80,000 guests annually.
Highlights:
- The Refuge and Boardwalk provides a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore nature and promote environmental stewardship within Fort Worth.
- The upgraded pavilion is expected to support thousands of students through dozens of school visits annually.
- By supporting funding for conservation measures including interpretive signage, invasive species removal, native plantings, and slope/shoreline restoration and protection, this project highlights the Meta Fort Worth Data Center’s commitment to sustainability.