The number of Macedonian companies that are investing in socially responsible practices is rising. This year, almost one third of the companies that vied for the national award for best socially responsible practices had applied for the recognition for the first time ever.

Most of the companies vying for the prize come from the sector of hospitality, followed by the financial and ICT sector. It has become almost traditional a majority of the projects, 38 in total, to be applied for the category ‘investing in the community’. Compared with last year, the number of applications as regards ‘relations on the market’ is on the rise, while it is decreasing in relation to the ones sent about the category ‘relations with the staff’ and ‘treatment of the environment’. The number of applications as regards ‘ethnical management’ is unchanged.

Most Macedonian companies can be socially responsible without being aware about it, according to Mile Boshkov, executive president of the Business Confederation of Macedonia.

“In general, Macedonian companies are socially responsible, but we must admit that they can be unaware. They are introducing practices while failing to acknowledge them as being of great benefit. In fact, they need to be educated more about the good use of these practices in order to turn them into their added value,” stated Boshkov.

By fostering social responsibility, companies are improving their image, their relations with suppliers and consumers and are motivating their employees, said Economy Minister Driton Kuchi.

“The objective of the award is to promote positive practices of social responsibility amongst the enterprises in Macedonia. In the past nine years, 165 enterprises have submitted 499 practices implemented so as to demonstrate their social responsibility and to prove that they take care not only about making profits, but also about their staff and the environment,” stressed Kuchi.