CSR Activities Continue to Flourish as Awards Shortlist Displays Diverse Range of Projects

CSR Awards 2017 Shortlist Announced Today

Chambers Ireland today (14 July 2017) officially announced the shortlist for the 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. With fifty companies shortlisted across the fourteen categories, this year’s CSR Awards displays a diverse range of projects from all industries and sectors, from SMEs to MNCs, across every region of Ireland. 

Announcing the shortlist, Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to announce this year’s shortlist which highlights the depth of commitment to CSR from across the Irish business community. Each year the role of CSR in the Irish business community in Ireland grows in strength and we have witnessed this through the applications which we receive to the Awards increasing in terms of quality and social impact. CSR practices are becoming mainstream in an increasing number of companies across Ireland. This has a positive impact not just for the beneficiaries, the community, the environment but also positively impacts on the businesses involved.  Government has played an important role in promoting such activity through a continued commitment to CSR, which included the recent launch of the second National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility, “Towards Responsible Business.” We are immensely proud to play a role in the recognition of CSR best practice through the showcasing of excellent projects in the annual CSR Awards. I would like to wish all shortlisted applicants the best of luck.”

The Chambers Ireland CSR Awards are partnered with Business in the Community Ireland, sponsored by BAM Ireland and run in association with the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr Michael Ring T.D. said,  “The principles of Corporate Social Responsibility fit very well with my own Department’s objectives of promoting and supporting the sustainable and inclusive development of communities.” The Minister emphasised and acknowledged the tremendous role that CSR has to play in Ireland today, in all aspect of everyday life from the small group to the largest of communities. Young and old alike benefit as a result of philanthropic funding and other CSR activities. The business sector to its great credit regularly steps up to the plate to improve the lives of their employees and to enhance the civic environment in which they operate. They are about community building which is one sure way that as a society we will all progress and prosper together.

“CSR” the Minister said “enables companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis”. The CSR Awards programme run by Chambers Ireland pays tribute to the pivotal work currently being carried out by Irish and multinational companies, to enhance the civic environment in which they operate.  Minister Ring concluded in saying that his Department is committed in its support of these CSR awards which he feels demonstrates in a simple but practical way, how Government continues to assist with the development of CSR.

Ronan Murphy, Chairperson of Business in the Community Ireland commented, “Business in the Community Ireland, as the primary network for corporate social responsibility and sustainability, congratulates all the shortlisted companies.  In an era where transparency and accountability are key to employees, customers, investor and other key stakeholders, we continue to witness companies and CEOs under the microscope when it comes to acceptable behaviours and ethics.  Being able to effectively communicate good corporate practices and sustainability impact is crucial to business success.  These awards provide a great platform to recognise this and, accordingly, I wish all the shortlisted companies the very best for the awards.”

Theo Cullinane, Chief Executive at BAM Ireland, said: “One of the pleasing things about having sponsored this event for a number of years has been watching it grow, as more and more companies become aware of the importance of CSR. At BAM, CSR is a core tenet of our business. We are, first and foremost, a construction business, and, when you build something, it is with a view that it will last. You often hear people talking about projects being future-proof, and the CSR initiatives that we celebrate with these awards are about making that future brighter and more sustainable.”

Awards will be presented across fourteen categories including Excellence in Community (sub-divided into Partnership with Charity, Community Programme and Volunteering), Supporting Youth Employment, Environment, Marketplace, Workplace, Communication, and CSR by an SME. One company will also be presented with the Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award at the ceremony in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 on Thursday 7th September.

-Ends-

For further information contact Susan McDermott, Chambers Ireland on 01 400 4319, 086 6081605 or email susan.mcdermott@www.chambers.ie

Notes to Editor

Further information on 2017 CSR Awards here

Complete 2017 Shortlist

Excellence in CSR Communication

  • Aldi Stores Ireland Limited – Aldi and FoodCloud Partnership
  • Arthur Cox – ‘Who Wants to be a Volunteer?’ – the Arthur Cox Volunteer Champions (ACVC)
  • Bord Gais Energy – Give a Helping Hand to Prevent Family Homelessness #AHelpingHand
  • Core Media – Focus Ireland and Core Media- Ireland’s first Contactless Donation Station Shines a Light on Homelessness
  • Microsoft Ireland – Microsoft Ireland supports Hour of Code
  • Ulster Bank – Communicating how we’re “Making a difference in our communities”

Excellence in Community – Partnership with Charity – LIC

  • Applegreen – The Applegreen Charitable Fund Programme
  • Arthur Cox – Working with Suas to bring technology to Zambia
  • Bord Gais Energy – Focus Our Energy Partnership
  • Dalata Hotel Group Plc – Dalata Digs Deep
  • Earth’s Edge – Kilimanjaro Equipment Lending Programme
  • Electric Ireland – Electric Ireland Darkness into Light
  • ESB – Collaboration with Science Gallery Dublin
  • Friends First – Friends in the Community
  • Voxpro – Voxpro partnership with Breakthrough Cancer Research 2016

Excellence in Community – Partnership with Charity – MNC

  • Boots Ireland – Boots in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society
  • Deutsche Bank – Deutsche Bank’s partnership with The Simon Community
  • Microsoft Ireland – Mission 3000: Microsoft and Special Olympics
  • Oracle – Oracle Applications “Walk of the Onesie’s” for Temple Street Children’s Hospital
  • VMware – VMware Foundation and Age Action

Excellence in Community – Community Programme – LIC

  • Bank of Ireland – Enterprise Town
  • Earth’s Edge – Guide Exchange Programme
  • ESB – Stay Safe Stay Clear with ESB Networks
  • Law Society of Ireland Diploma Centre – Law Society of Ireland’s Street Law Programme
  • Ulster Bank – One Week in June
  • Version 1 – Version 1 Community Trust

Excellence in Community – Community Programme – MNC

  • Abbott Ireland – Abbott Ireland – A Passion for STEM
  • Amgen – Inspiring the scientists of tomorrow
  • Boston Scientific – Boston Scientific Ireland STEM Programme
  • Intel – Intel Pride of Place
  • KBC Bank Ireland – KBC Bright Ideas Programme
  • Lidl Ireland – Lidl Community Works

Excellence in Community – Volunteering – LIC

  • Bank of Ireland – BizWorld
  • Bord Gais Energy – Bord Gáis Energy, Focus our Energy – Christmas FM Project
  • Earth’s Edge – Explore Experience Evolve Programme
  • KPMG – KPMG’s Family for Literacy (KFFL)

Excellence in Community – Volunteering – MNC

  • AbbVie – AbbVie’s Week of Possibilities
  • Cisco Systems – Age Action Volunteering programme
  • Deloitte – Professional Skills Volunteering with NCBI
  • IBM Ireland Ltd – Leadership for Teens
  • SSE Ireland – The SSE Ireland Be the Difference Volunteering Programme
  • VMware – VMware Cork Giving Network – VMware Foundation

Excellence in Environment – LIC – Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency

  • Bord na Móna – Eco Rangers Schools programme
  • Carbery Food Ingredients – Carbery Green 50 Landfill Diversion Project
  • daa – Sustainable Buildings
  • Dawn Meats – Strategic Sustainability

Excellence in Environment – MNC– Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency

  • HEINEKEN Ireland – Brewing a Better World in HEINEKEN Ireland – Our Sustainability Vision
  • Intel Ireland – Embracing biodiversity at Intel
  • KBC Bank Ireland – KBC Environmental Responsibility Programme
  • Lidl Ireland – Origin Green Project

Excellence in Marketplace

  • A&L Goodbody – A&L Goodbody’s pro bono programme
  • Bank of Ireland – Workbench
  • Eversheds Sutherland – Robbie Sinnott
  • KPMG – KPMG supports Going for Growth

Excellence in Workplace – LIC

  • Arthur Cox – Supporting a brave personal battle against Motor Neurone Disease – the Loretto Dempsey Legacy
  • eir – eir Challenge Supporting Special Olympics Ireland
  • ESB – ESB Power Challenge
  • Friends First – Friends in the Workplace
  • KPMG – KPMG Inclusion & Diversity Programme
  • Ulster Bank Ireland DAC – Academy – Building capability for what matters

Excellence in Workplace – MNC

  • IBM Ireland – “I like it here!”
  • Janssen Sciences Ireland UC – Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing & Design (WiSTEM2D).
  • Lidl Ireland – Work Safe. Live Well.
  • Oracle – OPEN @ Oracle
  • Vodafone Ireland – ThinkWell, LiveWell, FeelWeel

Excellence in Supporting Youth Employment

  • ESB – ESB Apprenticeship Programme
  • Johnson and Johnson – Johnson & Johnson Bridge to Employment (BTE)
  • Magnet Networks – Business in the Community

Excellence in CSR by an SME

  • Earth’s Edge – Kilimanjaro Equipment Lending Programme.
  • EMIT – EMIT & Play for Paddy: Giving Cancer the Boot
  • Fitness Freak – Free Fruit For All in South Tipperary General Hospital
  • Recycle IT – Clondalkin Community Recycling Initiative Limited
  • Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland – RIAI Simon Open Door
  • Stelfox – Soar
  • Technically Write IT Ltd – Charity and Community Involvement Committee

*LIC – Large Indigenous Company

*MNC – Multinational Company

Judging Panels

The independent judging panel is made up of respected individuals working in various fields. The panel act independently at all times.

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