VIRTUS- Press

Belgrade , December 5, 2009 – Today, the winners of the Award for Corporate Philanthropy, VIRTUS 2009, were announced during a ceremony at the National Parliament of Serbia. The traditional annual Award ceremony, which honors companies and enterprises distinguished for their support to public or non-profit actions or organizations, has been established and is being organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund(BCIF), thanks to financial support provided by the American people through USAID’s Civil Society program, implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC). It has also received significant support by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and numerous other partners.

RDP B92 a.d. Belgrade , for their contribution at the national level,
Euro bank EFG a.d. Belgrade , for their contribution to the local community,
Erste bank a.d. Novi Sad , for the support of the most innovative project of the year
Infostud 3 d.o.o. Subotica , for their contribution in the small and medium-size enterprise category and
Societe Generale Bank Serbia a.d. Belgrade, for a long-term partnership between the business and non-profit sectors

The winners in three categories - for the contribution at the national level, at the local community level and support to the most innovative project, will be sponsored by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to travel to New York City, where they will visit the Rockefeller Fund and participate in numerous important business meetings. The winner in the category of small and medium-size enterprises will be sponsored by USAID to participate in a trip to the region of Central and Eastern Europe in spring 2010 year, for an experience exchange with firms from that region and gaining additional insight into the concept of socially responsible business operations.

„These companies have pleasantly surprised us by presenting different programs for cooperation with the non-profit sector, which is a good indicator that they have strategically incorporated the concept of social responsibility into their business operations, and have a sound understanding of the significance of corporate philanthropy,” noted Ivan Vejvoda, Executive Manager of the Balkan Fund for Democracy, and Chairman of the VIRTUS Jury.

This year’s award ceremony, symbolically organized on the International Volunteering Day, was attended by distinguished special guests, including Tomica Milosavljevic,, the Minister of Health, Snezana Lakicevic Stojacic, State Secretary for Labour, Troy Pederson , the Acting U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, as well as Radovan Jelasic, the Governor of the National Bank of Serbia.

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For additional information please contact the Office of the Philanthropy of the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund, Tel: +38111/26-22-511, +3811/11-328-872 or by e-mail: filantropija@bcif.org.

September 1st, 2009 – Tomorrow, on September 2nd, the call for nominations for the Third Annual VIRTUS awards for Corporate Philanthropy will be officially opened. The award is organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund (BCIF) and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Institute for Sustainable Communities. The call for nominations will be open until October 8th 2009. All local and international companies, branches of international companies operating in Serbia, private small and medium enterprises, public and state-owned companies, media houses and corporate funds and foundations are eligible. Candidates for the award can be proposed by: all interested citizens, individuals, non-profit organizations, media, PR agencies, marketing agencies, and also by the companies and enterprises themselves.

The awards are given to companies and business entities which have distinguished themselves by supporting non-profit organizations working for the public good over the past year.

VIRTUS awards for 2009 will be given in following categories, four main and two special:
• Main Award for contribution at the national level
• Award for contribution to the local community in which the company operates
• Award for small and medium-size enterprises
• Award for support for the most innovative project of the year

The awards for Long-term partnership Award between business and civil sector and Special Award for media contribution will be presented this year also to those companies and media who made a biggest breakthrough in these areas. The final winners will be announced during a Gala Awards Ceremony in the second half of November in Belgrade. After a thorough consideration of all nominations, a decision on award recipients will be made by an independent jury (selection committee) in accordance with carefully determined criteria. The jury consists of prominent individuals coming from the business sector, the NGO sector, media and marketing.

VIRTUS, initiated in 2007, are the first awards of this kind ever conferred in Serbia. The awards have now become a regular event and a represent a major recognition for companies that have demonstrated a commitment to investing in the common good. By acknowledging and publicly naming companies and enterprises that pro-actively engage in Corporate Social Responsibility, an example is set for the rest of the business world to follow.

The more philanthropy in Serbia is promoted and encouraged, the greater the chances are of further increasing the participation of companies, enterprises and individuals in charitable actions or programs.

The award organization and ceremony promote the genuine partnership and cooperation that is being built between the business sector and non-governmental organizations and publicly recognizes the great things that are being accomplished through the exercise of Corporate Social Responsibility all around Serbia.

Among winners of this prestigious contest until now are companies such Telenor d.o.o, RDPB92 a.d, U.S. Steel Serbia, Erste bank a.d. Novi Sad, Eurobank EFG Štedionica a.d. Beograd, Holcim Srbija d.o.o and Hemofarm a.d. Vršac.

These VIRTUS awards, are organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund in cooperation and under the auspices of USAID, Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, VIA Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), C.S. Mott Foundation, Consulting Agency Executive Group, Radio Television of Serbia, Ekonomist Media Group (EMG), eKapija, the PR Society of Serbia, the City of Belgrade and National Assembly of Serbia.

Detailed information, new application forms and the latest news can be found on the award official web site: www.bcif.org/virtus

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Balkan Community Initiatives Fund is a domestic fund that supports people to take active part in improving the life in their respective communities. We believe that even small positive changes make a big difference. Therefore, by providing financial assistance and learning opportunities we are helping people who are trying to help themselves. As a matter of fact, we offer them an opportunity to access funds and gain knowledge that might alleviate the problem resolution in their communities. In the last couple of years, we supported more than 500 successful projects, in value more than 1.500,000 Euros, throughout Serbia.

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For additional information please contact:

Jasmina Stefanović
Executive Group, Strategic Communications Agency,
phone: 011 344-7270
cell: 060 70 71 044
e-mail: jasmina_stefanovic@executivegroup.co.rs

The Annual VIRTUS Corporate Philanthropy Excellence Awards in Serbia for the Most Responsible Companies

December 10 th , 2008. – On Wednesday, December 10 th , The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mladjan Dinkić, His Excellency Cameron Munter the Ambassador of the United States of America, distinguished sportsman Vlade Divac and the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund have officially presented the second annual VIRTUS awards in the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

These awards are given to companies and business entities which have distinguished themselves by supporting non-profit organizations working for the public good over the past year.

During the competition which lasted from September 1 st to October 15 th 2008, there were a total of 77 nominations submitted in all six categories. It is especially significant to notice a great number of new companies and media that applied this year.

The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing and ranking nominations consisted of known representatives from different sectors: Ivan Vejvoda, Executive Director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, Dragan Bisen ić, Editor-in-Chief of Ekonomist magazine, Ana Firtel Vlajić, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council, Aleksandar Djukić, Marketing Director of „PriceWaterHouseCoopers“, Srba Jovanović, representative of the PR Society of Serbia, and Vlade Divac, celebrity sportsman, President of the Humanitarian Organization Divac.

Like the last year, the awards were given in six categories, four main and two special, with the introduction of the special recognition for state institutions that contributes to the development of philanthropy and CSR :

Main Award for Contribution at the National Level goes to company Telenor d.o.o. – As a company which strategically and wisely gives support to young talents through partnership with Petnica Science Center, projects such “Move your city” where nineteen cities in Serbia are decorated with wall paintings, the first in the region University center for students with disabilities, project “Social Club”.
Award forC ontribution to the Local Community Where the Company Operates goes to U.S. Steel Serbia which stood up with continuous and committed work, improving quality of schools, buying computers and teaching equipment, improving quality of healthcare, assistance to children and most vulnerable members of society, giving scholarships, initiating cultural events in Smedrevo, Šabac and Kučevo .
Award for Small and Medium-size Enterprise goes to Sto posto - A small enterprise which provides support at the local level in Velika Plana municipality and Belgrade. The areas in which they act are social and health care, education, religion and cultural affairs, and support to non profit organizations. Also, they have helped many times local amateur sport associations and individuals in need.
Award for Support for the Most Innovative Project of the Year goes, for the second consecutive time to Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad for “EU Office” project. Through its EU Office, bank contributes to the promotion of European integration process and at the same time supports projects
Also, two special recognition awards were given: Award for Long-term Partnership Between Business and Non-profit Sector, which goes to company Eurobank EFG Štedionica a.d. Beograd for successful cooperation with the Center for Development of Inclusive Society (CRID), building the first park in the region for children with disabilities, and redesigned branch offices according to “Design for All” concept ; and,
Special Award for Media Contribution which goes again to RDP B92 a.d. for its coverage and broadcasting adds of various B92 campaigns such as fighting against domestic violence, prevention of breast cancer, safety in traffic, promotion of voluntary blood donations, etc.

This year, Special recognition for institutional contribution to the philanthropy and CSR is introduced. The first of its kind goes to the National Bank of Serbia for committed and inspiring work in this field, numerous socially responsible actions, school for savings, initiation of UN Global Compact in our country, and excellent example which gives to other banks on the market, making local banking sector one of the leaders in social responsibility and community giving.

These VIRTUS award, which aim to further promote and stimulate philanthropy development in Serbia, are organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund in cooperation and under the auspices of USAID, Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, VIA Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), C.S. Mott Foundation, Ekonomist Media Group (EMG), Consulting Agency Executive Group, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, “e-Kapija”, the PR Society of Serbia, the City of Belgrade and National Assembly of Serbia.

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For additional information please contact Jelena Radenković, Philanthropy Program Assistant at the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund, cell: 064/ 2515 940 or by e-mail: jelenar@bcif.org.

The First Annual VIRTUS Corporate Philanthropy Excellence Awards in Serbia for the Most Responsible Companies

November 20 th , 2007. – On Tuesday, November 20 th , The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Božidar Đelić, His Excellency Cameron Munter the Ambassador of the United States of America and the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund have officially presented the first annual VIRTUS awards in the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. These awards, the first of their kind in Serbia, are given to companies and business entities which have distinguished themselves by supporting non-profit organizations working for the public good over the past year.

During the competition which lasted from August 31 st to October 12 th 2007, there were a total of 64 nominations submitted. The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing and ranking nominations consisted of known representatives from different sectors: Mijat Lakićević, Editor-in-Chief of Ekonomist magazine, Ana Firtel Vlajić, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council, Aleksandar Djukić, Marketing Director of „PriceWaterHouseCoopers“, Ivan Vejvoda, Executive Director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, Srba Jovanović, member of Exective Board of the PR Society of Serbia, and Vlade Divac, celebrity sportsman, President of the Humanitarian Organization Divac.

Main Award for Contribution at the National Level goes to media house RDP B92 a.d. - An organizer of large-scale civic actions such as “Safe House for Women”, aimed at fighting domestic violence and the campaign “Make a Day for Yourself and Others - Donate Blood”, which has popularized voluntary blood donations.
Award forC ontribution to the Local Community Where the Company Operates goes to Holcim (Srbija), a.d. - A responsible company that provides long-term support to the development of young talent and the local community in Para ćin municipality (building of sustainable infrastructure), capacity building of local NGOs, support of employees through scholarship programs, trainings, international exchanges, etc.
Award for Small and Medium-size Enterprise goes to ALFA-PLAST d.o.o. Temerin - A small enterprise which provides support at the local level in Temerin municipality in health care institutions, non-profit organizations and organization of community events,
Award for Support for the Most Innovative Project of the Year goes to Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad for “Avantura Cooltura” projectwhich looks to motivate six graders in Belgrade elementary schools through cultural and sporting events.
Also, two special recognition awards were given: Award for Long-term Partnership Between Business and Non-profit Sector, which goes to company Hemofarm A.D. Vršac for long-term investment in Vršac and surrounding areas, and helping a great number of partners; and, Special Award for Media Contribution which goes to RDP B92 a.d. for its coverage of campaigns “For Our Children” and “Safe House for Women” aimed to inform general public about the problem of domestic violence affecting specifically women and children.

These Virtus award, which aim to further promote and stimulate philanthropy development in Serbia, are organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund in cooperation with USAID’s Civil Society Advocacy Initiative implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Communities. Other supporters include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, VIA Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), Consulting House ‘Hauska&Partner’, Smart Kolektiv, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, ‘Ekonomist’ magazine, ‘E-kapija’, the PR Society of Serbia and the City of Belgrade.

Balkan Community Initiatives Fund (BCIF) is a domestic fund that supports people to take active part in improving the life in their respective communities. BCIF is present in Serbia from 1999, first as a British charity organization and then from 2004 as a local fund. We believe that even small positive changes make a big difference. Therefore, by providing financial assistance and learning opportunities we are helping people who are trying to help themselves. As a matter of fact, we offer them an opportunity to access funds and gain knowledge that might alleviate the problem resolution in their communities. In the last couple of years, we supported more than 340 successful projects, in value more than 850,000 Euros, throughout Serbia and Montenegro. BCIF just launched a systematic campaign for the revitalization and promotion of philanthropic ideas and attitudes in the society. The campaign will include a series of activities aimed at revitalizing charitable actions and making them a part of everyday routine. For more information about the Fund and Award please visit an official web site: www.bcif.org/virtus

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For additional information or materials, please contact Siniša Djurić, Philanthropy Program Manager at the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund, cell: 062/ 1 887 897 or by e-mail: sinisa@bcif.org.