82 companies entered their best campaigns in the 21st edition of the upmost national responsibility, sustainability and diversity competition
The impressive 126 corporate entries with a cause are competing in the 2023 Responsible Business Awards. Our huge thanks go to all 82 companies that entered their best campaigns in the new edition of the upmost national social responsibility, sustainability and diversity competition.
The Annual Responsible Business Awards, a landmark initiative of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), which is being held for the 21st 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 2023.
An independent panel of prominent experts from different sectors evaluates the entries in the seven categories, and the winners will be revealed at an official ceremony on 19 March.
BBLF has organised the prestigious competition annually since 2003 to encourage and distinguish corporate excellence in social responsibility and to promote impactful ESG campaigns. 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.
The most popular category this year is Investor in Knowledge with 27 nominations, closely followed by Investor in the Community with 26 nominations. 22 campaigns compete for the Investor in the Environment title, and 18 projects are competing for the Investor in Human Capital and Working Conditions prize. 12 entries are competing for the Cause-Related Marketing award. There are 6 contenders for the Best Social Policy of SME award.
There are also 15 nominations, or 25% more than last year, for the Diversity at Work award, the special category introduced 3 years ago by the Diversity Charter in Bulgaria to reward best practices of creating diverse teams and inclusive work environments. A joint initiative of the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), the local Charter aims to promote diversity management in the workplace and a tolerant and inclusive society. The winner of the award will enjoy a special bonus: they will have the chance to attend the official opening of the EU Diversity Month in late April in Brussels.
Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of prominent experts from the public sector, business associations, 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 entries in all categories are also in the running for the special Engage Award for employee contribution to an ESG project. The winner will be selected by the British Embassy in Sofia.
The winners of the individual categories and the runners-up and honourable mentions will be announced at an official high-profile prize-giving ceremony on 19 March 2024. The event features a presentation of all entries, and resumes will later be published in the Awards archive on the BBLF website.
For updates: #bblfawards2023, #responsiblebusiness.
Golden partners: JTI, Tavex
Bronze partners: PwC, Dundee Precious Metals Chelopech
Media partners: Bulgarian National Radio, Economy.bg, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, Investor.bg, BGlobal, Manager, NGOBG.info.
A full list of companies that entered the 2023 Responsible Business Awards: AbbVie, ALTO Communications and Publishing, Astellas Pharma, BAT Bulgaria, Benefit Systems Bulgaria, BILLA Bulgaria, BIOKOM, Boehringer Ingelheim Bulgaria, Bosch Digital, Bosch Engineering Center Sofia, BTL Industries, bTV Media Group, Cargill Bulgaria, Carlsberg Bulgaria, CATRO Bulgaria, CENTIO #Cybersecurity, ClearWare, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Bulgaria, Devin, DHL Bulgaria, dm Bulgaria, Dundee Precious Metals Chelopech, Dundee Precious Metals Krumovgrad, DXC Technology, Ecopharm, EKO Bulgaria, Electrohold, ET Blagoi Angelov – Colorado, EVN Bulgaria, FANTASTICO GROUP, Foodobox 2021, Generali Insurance, Green Gold International, Gugushev & Partners Law Office, HPE Bulgaria, HP Inc. Bulgaria, IBM Bulgaria, Interlang, Investbank, ITX Bulgaria (Inditex), JTI Bulgaria, Kamenitza, Kaufland Bulgaria, Kin + Carta, L’Oréal Bulgaria, Lidl Bulgaria, MentorMate, METRO Bulgaria, M-Gas, Mondelez Bulgaria, Nestle Bulgaria, Neterra, OMNI HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, Overgas Mrezhi, Paralax Life Sciences, Paysafe Bulgaria, Philip Morris Bulgaria, Philly Vibe/ PizzaLab, Pluxee Bulgaria, PRESTIGE-96, Questers Bulgaria, Redvertex, Saatchi & Saatchi Sofia, SAP Labs Bulgaria, Schneider Electric, Schwarz IT Bulgaria, Sensata Technologies Bulgaria, SiteGround, SoftServe, Solvay Sodi, SumUp, Tavex, Telematic Interactive Bulgaria, TELUS International, Teva Bulgaria, The Little Chief, UniCredit Bulbank, UNISPED INS, Vivacom, VODORASLO® / Algaia, Yettel, Zagorka.
