Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Virtus award for the most socially responsible companies

Belgrade, 10 December 2008

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic today opened the ceremony granting the Virtus awards to companies which support non-profitable events and organisations in the most effective way.

Author: Fonet

The ceremony was held at the National Assembly and Deputy Prime Minister Dinkic, American Ambassador to Serbia Cameron Munter, sportsman Vlade Divac and representatives of the Balkan Fund for Local Initiatives granted the awards to the winning companies.

Dinkic pointed out that the best companies are not those making large profits, but socially responsible companies which share their profits with society.

The Minister stressed that it is not personal interest that makes the world go around but ideals, adding that people who are investing in sport, culture, young talent and vulnerable groups must be encouraged properly.

Munter said that encouraging corporate philanthropy will be beneficial to the Serbian society and economy, adding that the US will continue to provide practical help for this purpose.

The top Virtus award for non-profit activities at the national level went to Telenor, the award for contribution to the welfare of the local community within which a company does business was presented to the company U.S. Steel and Erste Bank received the award for supporting the most innovative projects.

Cattle feed manufacturer Sto Posto received the award in the small and medium-sized enterprises category.

Radio Television B92, for the second time, got the special award for contribution to media campaigns against domestic violence, for the prevention of breast cancer, traffic safety and voluntary blood donation.

The award for long term partnership between the business and non-profit sector was presented to Eurobank EFG and a special recognition for institutional contribution to philanthropy and socially responsible business was awarded to the National Bank of Serbia for dedication to this cause and its several social welfare programmes.