VIRTUS corporate philanthropy award - Open competition opened between September 7 and October 7, 2010

Open competition for VIRTUS corporate philanthropy award will be opened on September 7th, 2010. The award is granted for the fourth time by the Balkan Local Initiatives Fund, with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC).

All local and foreign companies, public and state-owned, small and mid-sized enterprises, media companies, as well as corporate funds and foundations, with the exception of non-profitable organizations and government institutions, can apply for this award prior to October 7th, 2010. Candidates for the award can also be nominated by all interested citizens, individuals, non-profitable organizations, media, PR and marketing agencies, and companies themselves can also nominate their own programs. The Fund also invites the whole public to support and nominate the candidates they believe to deserve this prestigious award.

The award is traditionally granted to the companies and enterprises that excelled in 2009/10 by financially or materially supporting some social or non-profitable campaign or organization and backed reaffirmation of the idea of philanthropy in the world of socially responsible business by investing in general welfare.

VIRTUS award for year 2010 will be granted in four main and two special categories: the main award for contribution on national level, the award for contribution to local community in which the company operates, the award for small and mid-sized enterprise, and the award for support to the most inventive project of the year.

In addition to the main categories, special awards will also be presented - the Award for long-term partnership between business and non-profitable sector and the Special award for media contribution. The ceremonious awards night will be organized in Belgrade in early December. The decision on the award winners will be made by an independent jury made of eminent individuals from the world of economy, non-government sector, media and marketing.

Just like in the previous years, eKapija web portal will also support this year's VIRTUS awards ceremony.