eKapija receives award for media contribution - Virtus Corporate Philanthropy Awards presented

(Radojka Nikolic and Zdravko Loncar)

The most popular business portal in Serbia, eKapija (www.ekapija.com), is the winner of the 2012 Virtus Award for Media Contribution. Special Award for Media Contribution is presented to the media company whose texts, contributions or activities gave a special contribution to the development and improvement of the culture of philanthropy and charity in Serbia during one-year period.

The 2012 Virtus Awards ceremony was held Saturday, January 19th, in the National Assembly in Belgrade. On that occasion, Radojka Nikolic, NIRA Press CEO and a member of this year's jury, presented Special Award for Media Contribution to eKapija CEO Zdravko Loncar.

- Only the great are able to recognize those in need and unfortunate ones and make helping them their priority. Aside from making donations itself many times, eKapija has always strongly emphasized acts of charity, primarily because we believe that one who does good always receives good in return, as well as because we, as a media company, want to help the establishment of a better system of values in our society. We are very pleased to receive this special award, as it proves that our efforts are recognized and will definitely keep us on the same path – said eKapija CEO Zdravko Loncar.

(winners of Virtus awards)

Virtus Corporate Philanthropy Awards were presented for the sixth time in eight categories to companies and enterprises that contributed to the general good in 2012 in the most effective manner - by providing support to non-profitable campaigns or civic society organizations.

The radio broadcasting company B92 is the winner of the main award for contribution at the national level, LaFarge BFC Serbia received the award for its contribution to the local community, Bozic i Sinovi won the award in the SME category, Societe Generale Bank was presented the award for a long-term partnership between the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Banca Intesa received the award for its support to the most innovative project of the year, Forma Ideale for its contribution to social inclusion, whereas the award for volunteering went to Societe Generale Bank.

Competition for Virtus Awards is organized by the Balkan Community Initiatives Fund (BCIF) with financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Communities and the Serbian government's Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit (SIPRU).