IN MID April the Pontis Foundation announced its twelfth annual awards for companies doing businesses in a responsible way. There were nine categories in the Via Bona Slovakia Awards, reflecting the continuing development of corporate responsibility and corporate philanthropy in Slovakia. One special honourable mention for the media was also awarded.
The aim of the awards is to give public recognition to companies and entrepreneurs who support corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy in Slovakia. The foundation accepted 82 nominations for the 2011 Via Bona Slovakia Awards, from which a jury then selected the winners.
Main awards:
- Main Award for Large Corporations, for a comprehensive approach to corporate responsibility:
Regional electricity distributor Východoslovenská Energetika, which started several programmes to care for employees and their families, plus other measures.
- Main Award for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, for implementation of corporate responsibility principles:
The online bookshop Martinus.sk, for its approach to employees and support of the Dobrý anjel (Good Angel) programme and the Zelený Martinus (Green Martinus) initiative addressing energy and resource efficiency within the company.
Awards in the corporate social responsibility area:
- Ethics Award, for transparency and the fight against corruption:
The Bayer pharmaceutical company, for measures reducing corruption in the health-care sector, including a ban on its salespeople visiting doctors during office hours or giving them gifts.
- Green Award, for an environment-related project:
Východoslovenská Energetika, for mounting special protectors and adjustments on pylons in protected nature areas to prevent birds from sitting on wires and being injured by electricity.
- Award for Responsible Approach to Employees:
The IT company NESS KDC, for the launch of a summer club for employees’ children.
- Award for Socially Responsible Market Impact:
The Rock publishing house (publisher of The Slovak Spectator), for its student project Get Trained and Then Get Published.
Awards in the corporate philanthropy area:
- Award for Long-Term Positive Corporate Impact on society and the surrounding community:
The energy producer Slovenské Elektrárne, for its long-term devotion to the issue of homelessness.
- The Award for Courage to Support a Difficult Topic was not awarded, but an honorary mention was granted for non-traditional and complete support of homeless people:
NESS KDC, for its support of the Oáza – Nádej pre lepší život (Oasis – The Chance for Better Life) facility, which houses 100 homeless people.
- Award for Employee Engagement in volunteer activities:
Maxman Consultants, for the original idea of free expert lectures for students within its Maxman University.
Special award:
- Honourable Mention for Media Contribution in furthering corporate responsibility and corporate philanthropy in Slovakia:
Lucia Tkáčiková from the Sme daily, for her enthusiasm and approach when reporting on CSR and philanthropy themes.
Source: Pontis Foundation
