VIRTUS award for 2013
The leading award for contribution at the national level
NIS JSC Novi Sad was nominated by the Association for Local Development from Kamenica, for financial support to local communities in which NIS operates through the socially responsible business program Cooperation for Development. Through this program, in 2013, NIS supported 145 projects in the total amount of 88 million dinars, as well as the Energy of Knowledge support program for science and education. NIS was also nominated for the corporate philanthropy action in which the employees and the company together collected 4.7 million dinars, from which 23 CTG devices were purchased, which were distributed to maternity hospitals throughout Serbia.
Award for contribution to the local community where the company operates
Eurobank JSC Belgrade was nominated by the Ana and Vlada Divac Foundation, for their contribution to the Big Heart campaign in which they gave their clients, through the use of a unique MasterCard, the opportunity to support the renovation of children’s playgrounds in state kindergartens throughout Serbia. So far, 22,000 clients have opted for this card, and 10 playgrounds were renovated with these funds in the past year alone.
Award for Small and Medium Enterprises
Pirot Free Zone JSC for supporting civil society organization projects, assisting fellow citizens with medical expenses, providing financial support for sports activities, enabling internships for schools and universities, and participating in the ADB Multiplatform project aimed at reducing environmental pollution in transportation.
Award for Long-Term Partnership Between the Business and Non-Profit Sectors
Telekom Srbija JSC for its collaboration and partnership with the organization Junior Achievement Serbia, which enabled students across Serbia to learn the principles of business operations through theoretical and practical lessons, while encouraging them to independently develop their ideas. The cooperation took place throughout the year via mentorship programs and the Business Challenge competition, which allowed high school students to solve real business problems with the support of mentors.
Award for Supporting the Most Innovative Project
Bambi JSC for Juhu! Playgrounds initiative, launched with the aim of enhancing children’s favourite play areas, providing better conditions for their growth and engagement in sports. During the campaign, Bambi allocated 1 dinar from each sale of the Juhu Plazma chocolate bar to renovate playgrounds that received the most votes on the official Bambi Juhu! Facebook page.
Award for Volunteering
Banca Intesa JSC Belgrade continuously organizes volunteer actions as part of its corporate volunteer program Intesa from the Heart. The bank’s largest volunteer action, Pack a Gift – Bring a Smile, is carried out independently, while ecological actions are typically conducted in cooperation with civil sector partners. Before the 2013 New Year, , bank employees prepared 2,000 gift packages, which Banca Intesa Santa Claus teams delivered to children in eight elementary schools and one kindergarten. The project concluded with 2,024 volunteer hours and material donations worth 1,124,000 RSD.
Award for Contribution to Social Inclusion
Delta Holding Ltd. was nominated by the association of parents of children and youth with developmental disabilities, Evo Ruka, for renovating the local inclusive centre Meeting Place as part of the first National Day of Giving. Through monetary donations and the engagement of contractors the company works with, the facility was fully refurbished to provide children with developmental disabilities and their parents from Zemun Polje, Dobanovci, and Ugrinovci with support through extracurricular activities and innovative support services.
. Award for Media Contribution
Ekapija Ltd. nominated by the Food Bank, as a media company that has consistently dedicated significant attention to promoting giving and working for the common good since its inception. Through the Philanthropy section, this portal highlights socially responsible companies and their philanthropic initiatives. The section remained highly active throughout the year, with new stories published almost daily.