Which companies took home this year's Via Bona Slovakia Award?

Challenging times and economic development in Slovakia have had an impact on the operation of many companies. They respond to the situation in society and strive to be responsible employers and partners in business, as evidenced by the projects nominated for the 24th Via Bona Slovakia Awards. A total of 44 nominations from 42 small, medium and large companies registered in the seven award categories. As in the past, the largest number of nominations was recorded in the Green Company category, which dominates the number of nominations together with the Outstanding Employer category, which received nine.

Independent committees, composed of experts from companies, public institutions, non-profit organisations and the media, selected 20 of the nominations to go through to the final round.

The Pontis Foundation presented the awards to the winners during a gala evening in Košice on June 25.

Responsible large corporation

Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Based in Košice and employing 4,000 people, the company provides information and communication technology outsourcing solutions as well as business process outsourcing solutions. As part of its environmental sustainability, it strives to minimise its carbon footprint (100 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources), promotes the recycling of ICT equipment, and invests in technologies that reduce emissions (e.g. fleet replacement with electric cars). The company is also active in social innovation – in 2023, it developed a product called Cognity, which links virtual reality with the development of cognitive functions in the brain, providing it to a children’s cardiac centre in Bratislava. The company is a core member of the IT Valley Košice association, where it co-creates conditions for the development of the ICT industry and job opportunities in eastern Slovakia. It is also actively involved in supporting the local community – it is a partner for the Košice Self-Governing Region and the city of Košice, and has supported the Carpathian Foundation for many years. It has also established the “Magenta Life” fund, through which it financially assists people in need in eastern Slovakia and Ukraine.

Lidl Slovenská Republika

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Lidl Slovenská Republika, a retail chain focused on the sale of food and consumer goods, employs 6,500 people in Slovakia. Its corporate responsibility strategy focuses on six areas – climate protection, biodiversity conservation, resource conservation, fair dealing, health promotion and dialogue. Lidl reports its results in each of the areas every second year in the form of a CSR report compiled according to GRI standards, which it began to publish as the first retailer in Slovakia. The company has also been regularly organising dialogues with stakeholders in the form of roundtables since 2018. One of Lidl’s priorities is to promote health. Therefore, it is reducing sugar and salt levels in its own-brand products. The target is a 20-percent reduction by 2025. The company’s fair remuneration of its male and female employees has been confirmed by an external Equal Pay audit, which it has received as the first retail company and the second overall in Slovakia. Furthermore, by 2027, Lidl plans to reduce plastic consumption by 35 percent compared to 2017; it has so far reduced consumption by 28 percent. Its logistics centre in Sereď holds a prestigious BREEAM environmental certificate. In March 2023, Lidl opened a store in Martin with an environmentally friendly vegetation-covered “green” roof.

Slovak Telekom - WINNER

Slovak Telekom (ST) is a provider of comprehensive telecommunications services and employs almost 2,400 people. The company takes an inclusive approach, with special discounted flat rates for deaf and blind customers. An online interpreter operates in stores, which is especially useful for seniors who have lost their hearing due to old age. Environmental protection is built on two pillars in the company’s ESG strategy: building a carbon-neutral society and striving for full circularity. In 2023, ST introduced “returnable packaging”, i.e. a returnable cardboard box with a lifetime of at least 50 deliveries to the customer. Following the successful pilot of flexible forms of working time, many people at ST, whose work allows it, already operate on ultra-flexi working hours or a four-day working week. In the community area, the company mainly focuses on developing the digital literacy and skills of the younger generation through the ENTER programme and cooperation with organisations such as Aj Ty v IT, Informatika 2.0 or Zmúdri. In February 2023, ST started building the Rešpekt engaged corporate communication platform to support the brand’s mission to connect people.

Responsible small/medium-sized company

Majolika-R

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Majolika-R is a social enterprise operating in Pezinok, dedicated to preserving the production of traditional Slovak folk majolica and modern ceramics, employing disadvantaged and vulnerable groups (people over 50 years of age, refugees from Ukraine, people with depression and severe psychological problems). In addition to the ceramics workshop, the company is also proud of its Sladká Bodka (Sweet Dot) project – a restaurant that started as a small gastronomy stall during the pandemic and is now a stable operation in Bratislava’s Nivy shopping centre. In addition to the assistants who work individually with each male and female employee, Majolika-R helps them deal with day-to-day bureaucratic tasks and provides psychological support in difficult life situations. During 2023, young people had the opportunity to take part in a workshop project, through which the social enterprise seeks to bring the worlds of ordinary and vulnerable people closer together, thereby building greater tolerance in society.

Mobilonline

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The Lučenec-based Mobilonline company, which is engaged in the sale, purchase and collection of used mobile phones and accessories, is housed in a sustainable office space. 100 percent of the energy it consumes comes from photovoltaics; for this, it was named Absolute Winner of the Office of the Year 2020 award. It gives its employees the opportunity to rent one of the 10 lofts in its historic enamel factory or to use an electric scooter or electric bicycle to get to work. In 2023, it launched a new product, the so-called Ekofón – a phone made from recycled plastic designed primarily for seniors. The company uses reusable eco-boxes to transport the goods directly to customers, and the collected phones can be seen as exhibits in its phone museum, or as part of inspiring artworks. The company’s male and female employees are involved in improving the surrounding area by planting trees and in promoting biodiversity by installing an Insect Grand Hotel. An interesting feature is the ‘Phone Throw’ competition, which aims to collect old phones and educate people on proper waste separation and recycling.

Reinoo - WINNER

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Reinoo is a real estate development company operating in Žilina Region and is primarily engaged in the construction of office buildings, residential properties and rentals. The main philosophy of the company – lead by example – is materialised through sustainable construction and three main responsible activities: Reinoo Ventures (support for startups), cooperation with the Milan Dubec Foundation (through which it mainly supports community projects, the restoration of public spaces, and greenery in Žilina) and Camp Žilina (a project mainly focused on facilitating the adaptation of refugees from Ukraine in Slovakia and material assistance in Ukraine in 2023). In the core business itself, the company emphasises the use of environmentally friendly building materials and green technologies, along with the minimisation of waste. It does not forget to support local communities through social and environmental initiatives (Christmas markets, exhibitions of local artists’ works, environmental educational activities for children, etc.).

Good partner of the community

365.bank

365.labb

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The 365.labb coworking centre offers free space for residents of Banská Bystrica to work and organise cultural, educational and networking events. The centre has hosted more than 500 events and has become a key venue for the local community. The content focuses on promoting environmental issues, sustainability, fighting misinformation and supporting entrepreneurship, art and culture. It ensures its sustainability through commercial leases, allowing it to continue providing space and services to the community free of charge. This model ensures continuity and ongoing development of the project, contributing to a better life in and around the town.

Slovenská Sporiteľňa - WINNER

Comprehensive approach to affordable housing

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The activities of Slovenská Sporiteľňa (SLSP), Slovakia’s largest retail bank, are a response to the growing problem of unaffordable housing in Slovakia. The DOM.ov project focuses on providing comprehensive support to families from excluded communities in rural areas to plan, finance and build their own homes. The main goal is to enable people to build houses on their own, with SLSP providing materials, coordinating construction and teaching clients the necessary activities during the construction process. Participating families are thus given the opportunity to live in their own houses, pay for running costs and repay loans only for construction. Another project, Affordable Home, on the other hand, seeks to provide rental housing at below-market rents, thereby addressing the problem of housing affordability for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

U. S. Steel Košice

Metallurgists for the Region

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The Hutníci pre Región (Metallurgists for the Region) project of the steelmaker U. S. Steel Košice implements two key activities: Volunteer Days and the Together for the Region grant programme, which have a deep and measurable impact on the community. Volunteer Days is the largest corporate volunteer event in the region. In 2023, 300 volunteers participated in the event, serving 1,250 hours and supporting a total of seven non-profit organisations. Activities include the blood-donor Hutnícka Kvapka Krvi initiative, where volunteers donated nearly 30 litres of blood. Since its inception, the Spoločne pre Región grant programme has supported 140 projects worth €351,400.

Fair market player

Slovak Telekom - WINNER

We Have Donating in Our Blood

As part of its long-term platform Rešpekt, Slovak Telekom has introduced an initiative focusing on promoting blood donation in Slovakia. It was launched in the summer months, i.e. when the need for blood is greatest, due to the seasonal decline in the number of donors and the increased incidence of injuries and operations. Slovak Telekom did not limit itself to traditional methods of promoting blood donation. The innovation of this campaign was the use of a logo, which changed during four weeks to different blood groups according to the current needs of the National Transfusion Service of Slovakia. The project also highlighted the positive aspects of technology and its ability to bring people together for a good cause, and as a result the campaign made a significant immediate impact on increasing the number of blood donors.

Slovnaft

Let’s Cheer for Decency, Not Violence

This project is an innovative and comprehensive initiative that aims to restore a positive perception of football stadiums as places where cheering is predominantly conducted in a mannerly fashion and where family, friends and the community come together to experience the joy of the game. The campaign consists of several key elements, including advertising spots aired during Slovnaft Cup matches, the introduction of a new pre-match ritual where both teams enter the stadium behind a large banner with the slogan “Let’s Cheer for Decency”, a series of social media posts and videos, and the involvement of public celebrities. It also includes educational activities aimed at spreading awareness of the negative aspects of uncivil cheering and highlighting positive examples.

Social innovative company

PRONEA

PRONEA project

Pronea forms an ecosystem necessary for the development of education, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Upper Nitra region, which traditionally suffers from a high rate of population outflow. It brings together the entrepreneurial, corporate, educational and school communities in the region with the aim of transforming it. As part of its activities, Pronea organises a Hackathon for high school and university students focused on entrepreneurship development and the Back to Future conference, which brings together the entrepreneurial, corporate and educational communities. It also organises a year-long entrepreneurship programme for high schools and a Summer School focused on sustainability and the circular economy. The Pronea Partners Club connects companies in various innovative projects.

SmartBooks - WINNER

SmartBooks – Smart Learning

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The SmartBooks project is a digital smart workbook that effectively transforms traditional learning methods and creates conditions similar to personal tutoring. It provides primary school pupils with specially generated exercises along with detailed explanations. These exercises not only test knowledge but also actively promote learning and remembering, thereby greatly enhancing the effectiveness of learning. The system improves critical thinking skills, reading comprehension and long-term memory. Its use is also particularly effective for pupils who have specific learning needs, including those with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and in special schools for children with autism spectrum disorders.

TrollWall.AI

#bezhejtu project

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The main goal of the project is to promote cultivated communication and reduce the frequency of hate speech on the internet. As part of this initiative, TrollWall uses advanced artificial intelligence to monitor and analyse hateful comments, contributing to creating a more inclusive online environment. The initiative also includes educational programmes for members and implements tools for effective content moderation to reduce the frequency of hate speech on social media to a minimum. With a significant drop in hate speech among the initiative’s members to between 0 percent and 2 percent compared to the national average of 13 percent, the initiative declares that #bezhejtu (#hatefree) is one of the most effective tools to combat online hate speech in the country.

Outstanding employer

Lenovo

Mental Health First Aid project – PPDZ

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The Mental Health First Aid project (PPDZ), developed in close collaboration with the Mental Health League, became an integral part of Lenovo’s corporate culture from January 2023. The initiative began with a series of expert webinars, followed by the creation of an interactive wall in the company’s offices where male and female employees could share their ideas and advice for improving mental health. The project also trained 34 male and female volunteers ready to provide support to staff in difficult and stressful times, and to act as an intermediary in seeking professional help. The project pushes the boundaries in caring for staff, and creates an environment where everyone feels supported and understood. It also overcomes the prejudices associated with communication about mental health and contributes to the de-stigmatisation of mental health problems.

Majolika-R

The employment of disabled people

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Since its foundation, Majolika-R has focused on integrating people with disabilities into the workforce; they currently make up 90 percent of the company’s workforce. Majolika-R aims not only to provide these people with stable employment, but also to support their personal development, as well as increase their self-confidence through tailored job roles and a personalised approach. During the pandemic year, when it was necessary to suspend ordinary ceramics production operations, Majolika-R found a niche in the catering industry with the opening of mobile stalls and later the Sladká Bodka (Sweet Dot) catering operation. The company created inclusive jobs for people with diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis, partial dementia and mental disabilities.

Tesco Stores - WINNER

Inclusion of people with disabilities

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Since the Tesco Angel initiative was established in 2013, the retail chain has continued its efforts to integrate socially, medically, mentally, age-wise, gender-wise and ethnically disadvantaged people into the workforce. It focuses on employing people with specific health limitations such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, physical handicaps, hearing limitations and cerebral palsy, as well as people who are homeless, from marginalised social groups or refugees from areas at risk of war. Tesco Stores also offers training and work experience for pupils from excluded Roma communities.

Green company

Corplex - WINNER

PreReturnable Box project

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Corplex has developed a special innovative, eco-friendly and cost-effective packaging alternative for the B2C sector. This is returnable packaging that is returned to the manufacturer and reused once the goods have been delivered, significantly reducing waste. In addition, the packaging itself is recycled by Corplex at the end of its life and used to produce new packaging. They named the boxes PreVratné Krabice. ‘PreVratné’ is a play on words where ‘prevratný’ in Slovak can mean ‘revolutionary’ as well as ‘pre-returnable’. They are made of cardboard plastic, a material similar to cardboard but made from polypropylene. This is easily recyclable, without the use of water, solely by applying electrical/thermal energy. The project not only reduces the amount of packaging material and eliminates the need for disposable cartons and bubble filler, but offers a more economically and environmentally beneficial solution for companies and their customers.

Ekolive

Bio|me|stimulants from eco-bioleaching for soil regeneration and plant strengthening

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

Using waste mineral raw materials from the mining industry, Ekolive creates a leachate through a special bioleaching process. This serves as the basis for the development of revolutionary ecological biostimulants. These biofertilizers have the ability to revitalise depleted soils, restore biodiversity, and stimulate plant growth and health, providing an ecological alternative to harmful agrochemicals. In the process, they transform unused, low-quality minerals into valuable resources. The project thus brings together the seemingly disparate sectors of mining and agriculture to create an efficient system that works in harmony with natural processes. Ekolive is the only provider of this type of bioleaching process in the world. Their technology is completely waste-free, requires no energy and is not limited by production capacity.

IKEA

Second Life of the Tree project

(source: Courtesy of Pontis Foundation)

The Second Life of the Tree circular initiative responds to the large amount of post-holiday waste generated from Christmas trees that can be reused. Starting in 2020, after Christmas, IKEA turns trees that have been cleaned of plastic packaging, baubles and ornaments, into wood chips, which are then used as material for the production of its BILLY bookshelves. Some of the furniture produced is donated to leisure centres, libraries or organisations that work with children, young people, the elderly or the homeless. The project thus contributes not only to nature conservation, but also to the promotion of education and community life. In 2022, in addition to Bratislava, the town of Malacky also joined the project.