OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2009. Sakhalin Energy came out a winner in Russia's prestigious research project - Corporate Philanthropy 2008 that rank corporate philanthropy projects according to their efficiency, reported the press-centre of Sakhalin Energy.

In addition, the Sakhalin Salmon Initiative, which was introduced by Sakhalin Energy for this project, won the main prize as the “Best programme demonstrating corporate philanthropy policy and social investment principles” and the other Sakhalin Energy’s project “In Charge for the Future” that supports philanthropy initiatives of the Company’s employees was prized as “The best programme (project) promoting philanthropy culture in society”.

This year the nominations for the Corporate Philanthropy 2008 research project came from more than 40 major companies working in Russia, including such business leaders as Lukoil, Severstal, Transaero, Uralsib Bank, Intel Corporation and others.

The Corporate Philanthropy 2008 project awards recognise best practices in developing and realising philanthropy programmes or projects and publicizing them in business community and the rest of society. The organisers of the research project were the PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Vedomosti newspaper and the Donors Forum.

Sakhalin Energy first participated in this project in 2008 and succeeded right away, winning the main prize in the Corporate Donor of Russia competition for its programme What to Do in Emergency Situations and a prize in another nomination for its Sakhalin Indigenous Minorities Development Plan.

The resuilts of Sakhalin Energy's participation in the research project announced this year, evidence the Company’s “responsible neighbour” approach to doing business in Sakhalin. Sakhalin Energy sees this award as recognition of the Company's social achievements, which remain focused on contributing to the sustainable development of the region for the benefit of its residents.