SLOVAKIA’S Via Bona Awards for responsible business conduct were handed out on March 30 in Bratislava.
The Main Prize for Large Corporations went to VÚB bank, while software developer Eset received an Honourable Mention for its contribution to education and its responsible approach to employees in the category for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Companies which received awards in other categories were: Accenture, Anasoft APR, Hewlett-Packard Slovakia, Skanska Group in Slovakia, Slovnaft, T-Mobile Slovensko and Toyota Motor Slovakia. The Honourable Mention for Media Contribution to furthering corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate philanthropy in Slovakia went to Slovak Radio reporter Mária Grebeňová-Laczová.
Via Bona Slovakia is awarded by the Pontis Foundation to companies and entrepreneurs who have contributed to furthering corporate philanthropy and responsible business practices. The 10th awards recognised activities in 2009, with 113 applications and 111 final nominations evaluated.
“Apart from the record number of nominations, there was also a record number of jury members to take part in the evaluation process,” said Oľga Auchenbach, the programme coordinator of Pontis. “We were, however, surprised by the fact that there was only one nomination for the Main Prize for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The evaluation commission therefore decided to award only an Honourable Mention for Contribution to education and responsible approach to employees.”
In response, Pontis is now planning to start promoting the concept of responsible business practices more intensively among small and medium-sized enterprises.
For a full list of 2009 awards go to www.viabona.sk.
