PPG announced that its New Paint for a New Start initiative, part of the company’s COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program, transformed 36 schools worldwide during July and August 2022. More than 1,000 PPG volunteers and community partners took part in the initiative, dedicating 6,400 hours to transform classrooms and learning spaces for more than 23,000 students and educators.


PPG provided more than $1 million in support to recipient schools through the New Paint for a New Start projects, which included educational supplies for several schools and a total of 3,400 gallons (12,870 liters) of PPG paint products. Using PPG’s color expertise, each project aimed to create engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.

“Our volunteers harnessed the power of our paint to help classrooms become colorful, engaging and vibrant environments and to create bright new starts for students in our communities,” said Henrik Bergström, PPG vice president, Architectural Coatings, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Australia and New Zealand, and New Paint for a New Start executive champion. “Thank you to all the PPG volunteers who participated in and led projects. We are PPG Proud of the lasting impact New Paint for a New Start will make in the lives of students.”

Examples of projects around the world include:

• Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in PPG’s global headquarters community of Pittsburgh, PA: Students returning for the 2022-23 school year were greeted with colors that spark engagement.
• Istituo d’Istruzione Superiore “L. Cobianchi” in Verbania, Italy: More than 2,000 students found science inspiration in their newly revitalized chemistry area.
• TEDA No.1 Kindergarten in Tianjin, China: Young students at the school were welcomed by the completely transformed exterior of their school building.
• Ciudad de Brasilia school in Santiago, Chile: A nature-themed mural and new, brightly colored spaces were inspired by a student’s artwork.

“We’re proud to have created revitalized spaces to celebrate students and educators and help students feel excited, supported and ready to learn,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility. “As students and teachers embrace in-person learning after the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that color can enhance learning and create spaces where they feel comfortable and encouraged.”