About the Award
The SDG Business Pioneers Award in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an annual award aimed at promoting the efforts of the private sector in the field of sustainable development in the country. The award focuses on exceptional companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina that can serve as role models for others. The Award is the part of the programme “Translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina into Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (SDG2BiH)”, funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP in partnership with UNICEF and UN Women as part of the overall support provided by the United Nations to the Bosnian and Herzegovinian authorities in implementing the SDG Framework in the country. The official partner of this Award is the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Objective of the Award
The main objective of the SDG Business Pioneers Award in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to recognize and highlight the efforts of companies in the private sector to achieve the SDGs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The award also aims to motivate companies to create quality jobs, improve their business models, while reducing their environmental footprint by adhering to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Application Process and Methodology
The application process for the SDG Business Pioneers Award is based on an electronic application. The call for applications opens every year, lasts 2-3 months, and is open to all private companies registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of their size (micro, small, medium, and large). The application process follows Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards in the social, environmental, and economic dimensions and helps companies position themselves to improve their sustainability practices. By completing the application, each company has a blueprint for its first annual sustainability report – identifying the focus SDGs, setting goals, and analyzing pathways to achieve them.
The award is given in two thematic areas (“People” and “Resources & Environment”).
The “People” thematic area focuses on recognizing companies that create new and quality jobs by providing equal opportunities for all and having rules that apply to everyone. This area identifies companies that work to create employment opportunities for youth, women, vulnerable groups, etc. We reward companies that pay wages that allow their workers to live decently, those for whom ethics are important in business, and those that invest in innovation and training for their employees.
The “Resources and Environment” thematic area recognizes companies that actively work to reduce their environmental footprint, invest in new technologies, and develop their solutions. This award is for companies which follows environmental standards, invests in technologies to reduce its negative impact on the environment, such as installing solar panels, recycling production materials, reducing energy consumption, switching to more efficient and environmentally sustainable production materials, etc.
Benefits for Companies
Award finalists are promoted through communication SDG2BiH programme and UNDP channels, as well as donor and partner communication channels. The announcement of award winners and trophy presentations are held at a ceremonial award ceremony that brings together leading companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina such as dm drogerie markt, Ministry of Programming, Heidelberg Cement, Klika, Mistral, Isatis, Dekonta, Lanaco, and many others. All finalists and award winners are authorized to use the “Winner/Finalist of the Sustainable Business Leaders Award” e-logo through their web and business communication channels. Also, all finalists receive an annual sustainability report. By showcasing successes in moving towards more sustainable business practices, companies gain greater trust from investors, customers, suppliers, and the community, influence a better future in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and inspire others to follow the same path.