Sustainable business helps the environment and companies

Sustainable business is not just a fad, but an increasingly powerful trend that is effectively contributing to the fight against the climate crisis. The previously rare aspect, which emphasises environmental protection, minimising the carbon footprint or the circular economy, is experiencing significant success. There are also a number of companies in the Czech Republic that are very inspiring in this regard. They are appreciated by the new SME EnterPRIZE competition.

The cornerstone of both the Czech and European economies are small and medium-sized enterprises (an area known as the Small and Medium Enterprise - SME). Generali Česká pojišťovna is looking for companies among them in the Czech round of the pan-European SME EnterPRIZE competition, for which sustainable business is an integral part of their business.

"The aim of the SME EnterPRIZE competition is to reward those companies that adhere to and promote the principles of sustainability in their business, and thus have a positive impact on the environment. The ongoing climate change is an undeniable fact, which is the source of a number of risks. At the same time, it is the insurance companies that help entrepreneurs and companies suffer the consequences, "says the competition manager Vratislav Žáček.

However, the sustainable way in which SMEs work, does not only help the environment. The companies themselves also benefit from it. "We clearly see that there is a positive relationship between the sustainable behaviour of companies and their financial performance. Sustainable business models can make a significant contribution to long-term success as well as faster recovery after economically difficult periods,” describes Karel Bláha, Director of Corporate Business and Member of the Board of Directors of Generali Česká pojišťovna.

SME EnterPRIZE supports sustainable companies

The first year of the SME EnterPRIZE competition in the Czech Republic started in April. Small and medium-sized enterprises have been able to enter their sustainable businesses and projects into the national round of the competition, which has been taking place in other European countries for several years.

The competition attracted companies from various industries. More than thirty small and medium-sized sustainable companies that do business in agriculture, waste treatment, energy and, for example, construction have signed up. Their applications and sustainable projects were evaluated by an expert jury, which included representatives of the university, non-profit organisations dedicated to environmental protection, and representatives of the insurance company.

At the beginning of June, it will be clear which of the dozens of registered companies will be awarded a prize of up to 100,000 CZK, and media promotion and will be proud of the titles of the winners of the competition in sustainable business. We will soon provide information about the winners of the competition and their motivation for sustainable business.

In addition to the financial prize and the title, the first and second placed companies will have the opportunity to represent the Czech Republic at the European finals of the competition, which will take place in the autumn in Brussels, Belgium.

"We want to appreciate sustainable companies and make them visible. Our goal is to enable them to share their innovations and best practices so that they can be an inspiration to other entrepreneurs. This year's premiere year of the competition is only the first step of many that we want to do in the Czech Republic with the help of SME EnterPRIZE "adds the competition manager Vratislav Žáček.

For the Generali Group itself, which also includes the leader of the Czech insurance market, Generali Česká pojišťovna, sustainability is a crucial and strong issue. At the same time, it is a significant contribution to fulfilling its strategy of being a lifetime partner for its clients. Therefore, the Generali Group integrates sustainability into everyday life, thus contributing to the protection of the environment for future generations.

More information about the SME EnterPRIZE competition is available at www.generaliceskaprofi.cz/enterprize

(source: Karvinský a havířovský deník , 26 May 2021)