Last week, the Belarusian mobile operator velcom, a subsidiary of Telekom Austria Group, was acknowledged for its CSR strategy with the 'CSR Award'.

For the third consecutive year, the award, founded by the Belarusian 'Fund of Ideas' was handed out. The award recognizes the encouragement of successful corporate social responsibility projects within the Belarusian business. Categories covered charity, culture, education, healthy lifestyles, interaction with local community, environment protection and many more.

'Read in Belarusian with velcom'

The Belarusian mobile operator was awarded with several nominations and prizes, and 'Read in Belarusian with velcom' was considered as best private initiative in the educational business.

Over 4,000 pupils from 30 schools and gymnasiums in Minsk took lessons based on a special program during the year 2015. Children could take a closer look at modern Belarusian literature and its works. A special lecture with Belarusian writers and actors was also organized for the children of the company's employees as a part of this project.

The second award velcom was honored for, was the initiative of the implementation of a new corporate values system. Dozens of different activities aimed at processing the new values to the employees. Besides that, as a part of the internal corporate responsibility politics, the key employees of the company were involved in the development of this new system of values.

Irene Jakobi, Head of CSR Telekom Austria Group, comments on the award: 'I am proud of the velcom CSR team. The award is a well-deserved recognition for the consequent execution of the CSR strategy at velcom and sends a clear signal of how important CSR projects in Belarus are considered'.

velcom with leading position within the CSR business in Belarus

The jury of the contest has admitted that in 2015, velcom took a leading position in the CSR business in Belarus among all commercial brands. Subscribers and employees of the company have made a considerable contribution to social projects.

The recent awards rank among a series of prizes and nominations velcom was given within the last couple of months. In the beginning of 2016, velcom has already been honored with the 'Socially responsible brand' nomination within the 'Brand of the year' contest. It also got recognized with a gold medal in the 'Active social position' category, and a diploma in 'Brand leader on social networks' was also presented to the company. Previously velcom was awarded as «Most ethical brand» within «Socially responsible brand» nomination in 2010 and 2013.

CSR made by velcom

At the end of 2014, velcom set up a professional CSR strategy, which is being committed by the top management and clearly executed by all employees. The strategy corresponds to the velcom brand and corporate values, focusing on two topics, mostly matching the velcom spirit: 'Children' and 'National Identity'.

Helmut Duhs, velcom CEO, suggests that honorable awards are the results of a special approach to CSR within the company. «In fact, almost every employee was involved into elaboration of velcom CSR strategy and now actively participates in the implementation. This combination of external and internal approaches to social responsibility gives us vivid advantage, multiplies resources and provides beneficial synergy».

velcom has a long history of rendering aid to children in need. There are Christmas initiatives, such as charity actions, and velcom is also dedicated to support educational projects for talented Belarusian citizens. By supporting these initiatives, velcom helps to secure a better future for the Belarus. By focusing on carefully chosen projects, velcom helps the Belarusian people to rediscover their heritage: traditions, history, culture and other elements of national treasure.
velcom puts emphasis on the most fundamental Belarusian artefacts such as language, contemporary culture and nature.

Telekom Austria AG issued this content on 13 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 April 2016 08:45:08 UTC

Original Document: http://www.telekomaustria.com/en/newsroom/2016-4-13-belarusian-subsidiary-velcom-recognized-with-several-prizes-at-the-csr-award-ceremony-in