Leading companies have triumphed in the 20th edition of the most prestigious corporate social responsibility, sustainability and diversitynational awards
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) announced the winners in the seven categories of the Annual Responsible Business Awards 2022, the 20th anniversary edition of the most prestigious national competition for corporate social responsibility, sustainable development and diversity, mottoed Lead by Example at an official ceremony on 14 March 2023 at Sofia Balkan Palace.
The prominent prizes were presented by President Rumen Radev, Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Sasho Penov, Deputy Minister of the Environment and Water Reneta Koleva, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Prof. Emil Mingov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova, British Ambassador Rob Dixon, BBLF Chair Levon Hampartzoumian and Deputy Chair Anton Panayotov.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by over 250 guests, including senior executives of BBLF member companies and companies with purpose that took part in the competition, jury members, civil and public sector officials, diplomats and media.
The aim of BBLF as organiser of the competition is to recognise best business practices of responsibility and to promote the private sector’s role in and contribution to building a just social environment and a sustainable future. The awards, open to all businesses regardless of size and industry, and free of charge, provide a prestigious platform for companies that consistently and effectively develop and support projects with a positive impact on people, nature and society. By participating, they share their experience in successful social campaigns, receive recognition for their sustainable practices, establish their reputation as a trustworthy employer and make the causes they stand for ever more visible.
BBLF Chair Levon Hampartzoumian welcomed the audience noting that the competition aims to encourage businesses that create Bulgaria's new wealth in an ethical way and set an example for economic growth and responsible business.
The implementation of sustainable social policies by Bulgarian companies and the championing of the cause of social and responsible business is the key to Bulgaria's successful development, President Rumen Radev said in his speech. "If we want to develop as a prosperous country and a progressive society, we need business leaders with wisdom and vision for the future, with empathy for society's problems, for the environment and nature, with thought for employees, for the local community, for young people and their realisation here in Bulgaria, with support for education and science. I believe this is the only road to sustainable success and harmonious development of our society," President Radev said.
The Investor in the Community prize went to Nestlé Bulgaria with the Nestlé for Live Actively! campaign. The runners-up are FANTASTICO Group and Lidl, ranked second and third respectively.
Harmonica was ranked first in this year's most hotly contested category Investor in the Environment with a campaign to clean up Struma River. For the first time in the history of the competition three companies ranked second: Devin, TELUS International Bulgaria and Coca-Cola HBCB. FoodObox got the bronze prize.
L'Oreal Bulgaria is 2022’s Investor in Knowledge with the Women in Science Fellowship Programme in partnership with UNESCO. The second prize went to dm Bulgaria, and the third prize went to two companies with the same score, IBM and Nestlé.
Bosch Engineering Centre Sofia won the Investor in Human Capital and Working Conditions title for their team development and future talent building initiative. The second prize was shared by Schwarz IT Bulgaria and SiteGround, and Groupama Insurance and Life Insurance ranked third.
Lidl Palette, a campaign of Lidl Bulgaria, earned the prize in the competition most recent category, Diversity at Work. It was introduced in the competition a year ago and aims to promote the Bulgarian Diversity Charter, a joint initiative of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum and the Centre for the Study of Democracy. The Charter promotes policies for equality, non-discrimination and inclusion in the work environment and is part of the European platform that brings together 26 national charters. HPE and Shell Bulgaria were runners-up here. The accolades provide the three companies with two further opportunities: to attend the launch of this year's EU Diversity Month in Brussels in late April and to share their experiences and best practice at a workplace diversity webinar that the BFL is also organising in April.
bTV Media Group's Let's Clean Up Bulgaria campaign earned the first prize in the Cause-Related Marketing category. The finalists here are VIVACOM and dm Bulgaria.
For the second year in a row, Interlang won the Best Social Policy of SME award with its Engaged Employees in Social Causes long-term programme. Runners-up Questers and Astellas Pharma were also honoured once again.
Alto Communications & Publishing scooped the special Engage award for employee engagement with their Old Paper for a New Book initiative. All the companies that entered the competition were competing for the special award and the winner was selected by the British Embassy.
For a full list of the winning companies and projects see below or download here.
The record 134 entries submitted this year were assessed by an independent and objective committee of respected experts from the NGO sector, institutions, business, academia and the media (short summaries).
During the inspiring event, the BBLF presented all of this year’s entries and announced the finalists - the companies ranked second and third, as well as the winners. The prize winners received works of art made by artist Nikola Enev.
The ceremony was hosted by Radinela Buserska, a news anchor on Bulgaria ON AIR.
A networking cocktail followed the formal part.
The event received substantial media coverage, please find some of the reports and footage (all in Bulgarian): Bulgarian National Television (here and here), Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (here, here and here), bTV (here and here), Bulgarian National Radio, Economy.bg, BGlobal, Manager, your BUSINESS, NGO BG.info, Investor, DevStyleR (here and here).
The ceremony was held with the support of golden partners Amusnet, Arteks, Baringa, Kaufland and Takeda, silver partners Astellas Pharma, Japan Tobacco International Bulgaria, Electrohold and Philip Morris Bulgaria, bronze partners Alaric Securities, Dundee Precious Metals, M3 Communications Group and Congress Engineering, and partners Devin and Zagorka.
Media partners are BNR, BTA, Bloomberg TV, Economy, Investor, BGlobal, Manager, Your Business, NGOBG.info.
For more information follow us on social media: #bblfawards2022, #responsiblebusiness.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
INVESTOR IN THE COMMUNITY
Winner – Nestle Bulgaria // Neste for Live Actively
2nd place –FANTASTICO GROUP// Do Good 2022
3rd place – Lidl Bulgaria //You and Lidl for a Better Life
INVESTOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Winner –Harmonica // Clean Struma
2nd place – Coca-Cola HBCB // My Green City
2nd place – Devin // Biodiversity – a strategic goal for survival and a sustainable future
2nd place – TELUS International Bulgaria // Beekeeper For a Day
3rd place – FoodObox // FoodObox
INVESTOR IN KNOWLEDGE
Winner – L’Oréal Bulgaria // For Women in Science 2022 in partnership with UNESCO
2nd place – dm Bulgaria // Professional education in dm for schoolchildren
3rd place – IBM Bulgaria // IBM Bulgaria Academic Programme
3rd place – Nestle Bulgaria // Nestle for Healthier Kids
INVESTOR IN HUMAN CAPITAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Winner – Bosch Engineering Centre Sofia // With care for the development of the team and creating future talents
2nd place – Schwarz IT Bulgaria // Upgrade to Greatness!
2nd place – SiteGround // SiteGround Team Fest
3rd place – Groupama Insurance and Life Insurance // Life Savers Programme
CAUSE-RELATED MARKETING
Winner – bTV Media Group // The Good Example | Let’s Clean Bulgaria Together
2nd place – VIVACOM // Operation Spare Change
3rd place – dm Bulgaria // For a Better World. TOGETHER.
BEST SOCIAL POLICY OF SME
Winner – Interlang // Concentric Circles: Amplify the social impact
2nd place – QuestersBulgaria // Questers Giving Programme
3rd place – Astellas Pharma //To Give Light, Transplant Awareness Campaign
DIVERSITY AT WORK
Winner – Lidl Bulgaria // Lidl Palette
2nd place – HPE // Diversity and Inclusion
3rd place –Shell Bulgaria // Unique people. Stronger together
ENGAGE SPECIAL AWARD
Winner –Alto Communications and Publishing// Old Paper for a New Book
