Corporate Responsibility

Observing the results of corporate philanthropy Non-financial forms of aid are growing CORPORATE philanthropy is now widely recognised in Slovakia and has become part of the DNA of many local companies. But whereas companies once donated time and money somewhat indiscriminately, they now consider very carefully where their donations, either financial or non-financial, go and closely observe the outcomes they generate. 12 Dec 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Slovaks begin to buy Fairtrade products “I PREFER to support people who make an effort to work and produce something rather than just sending money somewhere without knowing where my contribution is going,” said Michaela Riháčková, a customer who regularly purchases goods that are certified as Fairtrade products. While the concept is still not widely known in Slovakia, consumers who have discovered this particular way of supporting producers and people in developing countries say they feel they have more control over where their money is going and how it is being used when they purchase a Fairtrade-certified product. 12 Dec 2011 Ján Beracka The Slovak Spectator

New volunteering law takes effect Legal definitions clarify who, what and how EVEN though volunteering has a long tradition in Slovakia, there was until recently no legal framework for performing volunteer work. That sometimes meant that volunteers were viewed as illegal workers and the lack of legislation governing their activities caused some problems in building more recognition of volunteering and volunteers. Slovakia’s parliament adopted a new law on volunteering on October 21 and it became effective on December 1, achieving a primary goal that Slovak volunteer organisations had set for themselves during the 2011 European Year of Volunteering. 12 Dec 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Year of Volunteering finds success in Slovakia The percentage of volunteering Slovaks matches the EU average UPDATED research about volunteering in Slovakia, the passage of a law on volunteering, more participation in the country’s annual volunteering days, and more promotion of volunteering: these are some of the significant achievements made in Slovakia during 2011 – the EU’s designated European Year of Volunteering. A ceremony in Bratislava on December 5, the International Day of Volunteering, closed off a most successful year for volunteering activists in Slovakia. 12 Dec 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Ekopolis gets European award Focus short THE ACTIVITIES of one of the oldest foundations in Slovakia, Ekopolis Foundation, has been acknowledged at an international level. The jury for the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe, part of the Steering Committee for Cultural Heritage and Landscape, granted special mention to the foundation for its 'Grant programmes for local communities to shape their surroundings into a place where they are happy to live'. 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

Slovakia’s Good Angel comes to CZ Focus short SLOVAKIA’s Dobrý Anjel (Good Angel) charitable programme, which provides monthly financial support to families with members suffering from cancer or another serious disease, attracted the attention of two Czech businessmen. After selling their company, Petr Sýkora and Jan Černý decided to devote their energy to charity, the SITA newswire wrote, and they asked Andrej Kiska, the founder of Dobrý Anjel in Slovakia, to launch a similar programme in the Czech Republic. After a year of preparation, Dobrý Anděl started operating in the Czech Republic on November 8. 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

Prizes awarded VOLUNTEERS and volunteer projects in Bratislava Region were acknowledged at a ceremony organised by C.A.R.D.O., Slovakia’s National Volunteer Centre, on December 5 at which the Bratislava Volunteers awards for 2011 were handed out. 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

TOP corporate philanthropist Focus short THE SLOVAK Donors’ Forum (FD) has been publishing a ranking of corporate philanthropists, TOP Corporate Philanthropist, since 2005. Its goal is to motivate companies to communicate openly about the sums they spend on corporate philanthropy and thereby inspire other companies in Slovakia to do the same, Katarína Podracká, manager of FD’s corporate philanthropy programme, told The Slovak Spectator. 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

Some volunteer centres in Slovakia - C.A.R.D.O. – operates as the National Volunteer Centre, www.dobrovolnictvo.sk 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

Some organisations active in CSR and philanthropy in Slovakia - 1. neziskové servisné centrum (the central portal for the non-profit sector), www.1snsc.sk 12 Dec 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

Building better CSR with government help Four foreign diplomats describe their countries’ initiatives WHEN discussing government responsibility, it is impossible not to mention transparent procurement processes which use public resources wisely and encourage environment-friendly products and technologies. But another important government responsibility is making sure businesses and public offices obey the law and also keep to the principles that are promised in their official documents and reports. Governments in some countries have dozens of years of experience in this latter responsibility and in some cases have crystallised the concepts into legislation or into accepted best practices. 6 Jun 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Firms learn sustainability is good business Some companies only see the costs rather than the benefits EVEN though corporate responsibility and sustainability are not completely foreign concepts in Slovakia in 2011, many companies in Slovakia are still just learning how implementing the principles of corporate responsibility can bring better business values and entrepreneurial success. Primarily it is the Slovak branches of international companies, motivated by their parent companies, that have adapted corporate strategies to local conditions and implemented corporate responsibility programmes. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Beata Hlavčáková, the programme director of the Pontis Foundation and the director of the Business Leaders Forum, about what she sees as being the current trends in these areas in Slovakia. 6 Jun 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Leaving a CSR footprint IN MID April the Pontis Foundation distributed its Via Bona Slovakia Awards to publicly recognise companies and entrepreneurs which had supported corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate philanthropy in Slovakia. Four companies were shortlisted for the main award for large corporations for their comprehensive approach to CSR, from which the jury selected Orange Slovensko as the winner for 2010. 6 Jun 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Law on volunteering is in the pipeline SLOVAKIA is one of the few countries in Europe which does not have a law dealing with the issues involved in volunteering. While other countries with different traditions may not face any problems in this area, Slovak organisations which seek volunteers have been asking for such a law for several years, as Slovakia’s labour offices have sometimes viewed volunteers as illegal workers and organisations using volunteers have had problems determining exactly how to account for peripheral costs involved with volunteer activities. It now seems that a law may be adopted in Slovakia during the European Year of Volunteering, as newly-drafted legislation is now undergoing the government’s internal approval procedure and it is expected to go to parliament later this year. 6 Jun 2011 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator

Family-friendly awards announced Focus short THE UNION Poisťovňa insurance company and the Union Zdravotná Poisťovňa health insurance company won first place in the 10th year of a programme called Employers Friendly to Family, Gender Equality and Equality, the TASR newswire reported. The two companies were recognised for their comprehensive support of equal opportunities in their companies and for authentic and self-sacrificing support well above the requirements of legal standards and best practices. The Institute for Labour and Family Research organises the annual competition and evaluates entrants. 6 Jun 2011 Compiled by Spectator staff The Slovak Spectator

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Corporate Responsibility