The National Coordination Body on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Ministry of Economy presented at the ceremony on Wednesday in Skopje 2014 National Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practices to Macedonian enterprises.

Thirty-four companies, 24 large and 10 SMEs, applied with 50 projects at the call for award in different categories of social responsibility. Most of the companies, 21 competed in the category “Investment in the Community", nine applied for the first time, and most of those who applied are seven from the financial and service sectors.

Statuette for best social practices in 2014 in the category “Employee Relation” was presented to Vitaminka from Prilep and Civil Engineering Institute “Macedonia,” Makstil, EVN Macedonia and Rade Koncar TEP were presented with statuette for “Ethical Management,” statuette for “Market Relations” was presented to Komercijalna bank Skopje, statuettes for “Environment” were given to USJE cement factory and Pakomak, Dauti Komerc and NOVA International School were presented with “Investment in the Community” award while “Most Creative Practice” statuette was given to Komercijalna bank for project that provide services to visually impaired people.

The purpose of the National Award is to promote positive practices of socially responsible action and give inspiration for the introduction and further enhancement of the social responsibility of enterprises in Macedonia. Proof of our success is that in the past eight years companies reported almost 500 good CSR practices that have demonstrated their commitment to the society and environment, Economy Minister Bekim Neziri said in his welcoming speech.

He pointed out that the concept of social responsibility becomes an integral part of the operations of business entities in the country following the example of European countries.

I am convinced that this concept will be developed in the future as well by increasing the number of companies with its transparent and ethical conduct showing that their goal is not only making profit, but also environmental protection and improvement of the social environment which contribute to sustainable development and prosperity in the community where they live and work, Neziri said.

Jaromir Levicek from the EU Delegation to Skopje said that the European Commission has been one of the main supporters of socially responsible practices in the country for seven years, adding that the concept of social responsibility should be implemented in the Macedonian educational system.

President of the National Coordination Body on Corporate Social Responsibility Aleksandar Nikolov said that this year's novelty is award for "Most Creative Practice" which is presented for the project that includes new approach to solving a social problem or a new approach to business that brings benefits to stakeholders.

The event is organised within the project Corporate Social Responsibility for All (CSR for All) and financed by the Ministry of Economy. The project aims to develop capacity for employer organizations in South East Europe region regarding CSR. The project partner in Macedonia which is co-financed by the EU is the Business Confederation of Macedonia.

Best practices of Macedonian companies in the field of social responsibility that applied for the award, will be presented before the domestic public and in South East Europe region, as well as at the project’s website (www.csrforall.eu).