National Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Macedonia

The National Coordination Body on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Ministry of Economy presented the National Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practices to Macedonian enterprises during a ceremony held on Wednesday in Skopje.

Participation and Categories

A total of 34 companies participated, comprising 24 large enterprises and 10 SMEs, submitting 50 projects across various CSR categories. Highlights include:

• 21 companies competed in the “Investment in the Community” category.
• Nine companies applied for the first time.
• The financial and service sectors were represented by seven companies.

Statuette Recipients

Employee Relations

• Vitaminka (Prilep)
• Civil Engineering Institute “Macedonia”

Ethical Management

• Makstil
• EVN Macedonia
• RadeKoncar TEP

Market Relations

• Komercijalna Bank Skopje

Environment

• USJE Cement Factory
• Pakomak

Investment in the Community

• DautiKomerc
• NOVA International School

Most Creative Practice

• Komercijalna Bank (for its project providing services to visually impaired people).

Purpose of the Award

The award aims to promote positive CSR practices and inspire enterprises in Macedonia to adopt and enhance their social responsibility initiatives. Economy Minister Bekim Neziri, in his welcoming speech, highlighted that:

“In the past eight years, companies have reported nearly 500 CSR practices, showcasing their dedication to society and the environment.”

Minister Neziri also emphasized that CSR is becoming a core component of business operations in Macedonia, mirroring European standards:

“I am confident that this concept will continue to grow, with more companies adopting transparent and ethical practices. These efforts will demonstrate that their goal is not just profit-making but also environmental protection and social betterment, contributing to sustainable community development.”

EU Delegation’s Support

Jaromir Levicek from the EU Delegation to Skopje acknowledged the European Commission’s role as a longstanding supporter of CSR in Macedonia. He stressed the importance of integrating CSR into the Macedonian educational system to ensure its sustained development.

New Initiative

Aleksandar Nikolov, President of the National Coordination Body on CSR, introduced the award for “Most Creative Practice”, designed to recognize innovative solutions to social challenges or novel business approaches that benefit stakeholders.

About the Event

The ceremony was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility for All (CSR for All) project, funded by the Ministry of Economy and co-financed by the EU. The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of employer organizations in the South East Europe region to implement CSR. In Macedonia, the project’s local partner is the Business Confederation of Macedonia.