Responsible companies can now apply for the Via Bona Slovakia Awards 2020

Via Bona Slovakia is a unique award through which the Pontis Foundation draws attention to exceptional cases of responsible entrepreneurship and corporate philanthropy. This year, it will present awards in seven categories. Furthermore, it will present a special Well-Governed Company Award for compliance with the principles of Corporate Governance and the Public Choice Award which will be decided by the public through an online survey.

In the field of responsible entrepreneurship, the Pontis Foundation has for years focused on inspiring and innovative projects of companies worth following. However, in the 20 years of the award’s existence, many of the exceptional activities have gradually become a standard, such as corporate volunteering or employee training and development. Therefore, the foundation has made changes to certain categories. “These developments need to be taken into account. We want to continue to appreciate things which are still not the standard but may become one, partly thanks to our awards,“ Michal Kišša, Director of the Pontis Foundation, says.

Categories have changed

The Great Employer category and the special award entitled Employer Friendly to Family, Gender Equality, and Equal Opportunities have undergone a fundamental change. In this year of Via Bona Slovakia, both awards have been merged into one category entitled Outstanding Employer, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. “This change also reflects the current situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has deepened existing inequalities. Disadvantaged groups in the labour market have found themselves in an even worse situation. At the same time, new vulnerable groups have emerged that need an empathic approach from their employers, such as working parents of minors or people with mental health problems,” Kišša explains. Companies which strive to create the best possible working conditions for diverse groups of employees and to promote effective inclusion may now apply for the Outstanding Employer Award.

After last year’s break, the Fair Market Player returns. In this category, the foundation expects projects which companies have implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, in order to make the situation easier for their partners. It can be activities towards customers, suppliers, or other business partners presenting an above-standard approach of the company in a crisis.

In the usual Good Partner of the Community category, the Pontis Foundation will recognise projects which took into account the pandemic but still focused on helping the community.

The Social Innovation category changed its name to Socially Innovative Company, but its content remained unchanged. Companies whose innovative solution or product addresses social or environmental problems and creates positive social change can continue to apply in this category as before.

Companies can nominate their project in one of seven categories:

• Responsible Large Company
• Responsible Small or Medium Company
• Outstanding Employer
• Green Company
• Good Partner of the Community
• Socially Innovative Company
• Fair Market Player

Companies can apply also for the Well-Governed Company award.

The application deadline is the 15^th of March, 2021. Nominations are evaluated by independent commissions composed of representatives of business, the public sector, the media, non-governmental organisations, and educational institutions. The winners of the award will be announced by the Pontis Foundation at a gala on the 17^th of June, 2021.

Please visit this website for more information.