86 companies submitted their good examples in the most prestigious national competition for social responsibility, sustainable development and diversity, which BBLF organises for the 20th year in a row
A record 134 corporate entries with a cause are competing in the jubilee Annual Responsible Business Awards 2022. 86 companies from different sectors submitted their good examples in the most prestigious national competition for social responsibility, sustainable development and diversity. The Annual Responsible Business Awards, a landmark initiative of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), which is being held for the 20th consecutive year, is a high-profile platform for responsible companies and their successful and inspiring campaigns for the benefit of people, society and nature, implemented in 2022. A renowned jury of experts from various sectors evaluates the entries, and the winners will be revealed at an official ceremony on 14 March.
BBLF has organised the prestigious competition annually since 2003 to encourage best practice in social responsibility and to promote corporate programmes with the greatest impact. The competition mottoed Lead by Example is open to companies from all sectors of the economy across the country irrespective of BBLF membership. The initiative thus provides a broad picture of the private sector's commitment to solving a range of social challenges.
A total of 134 entries have been nominated in this edition, which is a record in the 20-year history of the competition and 15% more than the previous year. There is also growth in the number of participating companies - 86 this time. For the first time, the largest number of entries was in the Investor in the Environment category - 28, which is a clear indicator of the companies' commitment to specific green goals and the steps taken to achieve them. Next comes the Investor in the Community category with 26 nominations and Investor in Knowledge, which attracted 24 applications. 17 projects are competing for the Investor in Human Capital and Working Conditions award. 15 entries are competing in the Cause-Related Marketing category. There are 12 contenders for the Best Social Policy of SME award.
There are also 12 nominations in Diversity at Work, the special category introduced a year ago by the Diversity Charter in Bulgaria to reward best practices of creating diverse teams and inclusive work environments.
Entries are evaluated by an independent and objective jury of respected experts from public sector, private sector, civil organisations, academia and the media. The evaluation criteria include specific benefit to society, working in partnership with other organisations, staff commitment to the project, duration and consistency of the initiative, innovation and public recognition.
All nominated projects are also in the running for the special Engage Award for employee contribution to a responsible company project where the winner will be selected by the British Embassy in Sofia.
The winners of the individual categories and the runners-up and honorable mentions will be announced at an official high-profile prize-giving ceremony on 14 March 2023. The event features a presentation of all entries, and resumes will later be published in the Awards archive on our website.
For updates: #bblfawards2022, #отговоренбизнес.
Media partners: Bulgarian National Radio, Economy.bg, Investor.bg, Bloomberg TV, Tvoyat biznes, BGlobal, Manager, NGOBG.info.