OREANDA-NEWS. April 23, 2008. During the first in Lithuania National Responsible Business Awards Hansabankas received the main award appreciating bank’s consistent and rapid progress in implementing corporate social responsibility principles in the organisation and business, also for the leadership in disseminating responsible business ideas in Lithuania, reported the press-centre of Hansabankas.

The National Responsible Business Award was initiated by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour together with the United Nations Development Programme in Lithuania.

9 companies which had contributed most to the development of social welfare and its enhancement in Lithuania were honoured during the award ceremony held on 8 April. "These Awards were established in order to honour and encourage companies that were the first in Lithuania to implement principles of social responsibility in their business", said Vilija Blinkeviciute, the Minister of Social Security and Labour, speaking about this idea.

There were three nominations: "Socially Responsible Business 2007", "Workplace of the Year" and "Partner of the Year". In each nomination winners were selected from among large companies, small and medium-sized business enterprises and foreign companies or representative offices operating in the Republic of Lithuania.

For the main nomination of "Socially Responsible Business 2007" in the category of large enterprises Hansabankas competed with other financial institutions, telecommunication companies and retailers.

Applications nominated for the National Responsible Business Award were evaluated by the Jury of 22 members. It comprised outstanding public personalities, representatives of public authorities, NGOs, business associations and media. The work of the Jury was observed by independent auditors.

The evaluation was carried out on the basis of uniform criteria which helped to assess how corporate social responsibility is integrated in business practice from strategy to particular actions (i.e. the level of consistency, consciousness, continuity of the social responsibility practice and whether this practice represents more than mere marketing or philanthropic actions). The Jury also relied upon information obtained from different institutions: trade unions, state social insurance inspectorate, etc.

27 Lithuanian enterprises have filed applications for the National Responsible Business Award. 15 applications were received for the nomination of "Socially Responsible Enterprise", 11 applications — for the nomination of "Partner of the Year" and 17 applications — for "Workplace of the Year".