Awards recognise corporate philanthropy, long-term partnerships between businesses and the civil sector, and innovative projects
For the fifteenth year, the Trag Foundation has awarded its VIRTUS Philanthropy Awards to companies and individuals that supported initiatives in support of the common good over the previous 12 months.
The corporate philanthropy award went to Schneider Electric for developing and rolling out a programme of support to healthcare, education, and childcare. In 2021, Schneider Electric helped refurbish and purchase equipment for healthcare institutions throughout Vojvodina and donated a digital library, computers, teaching aids, and gym equipment to nursery schools, primary and secondary schools, and universities across Serbia. The company also provided scholarships for 700 graduate university students of engineering in Novi Sad and Belgrade, invested in a Talent Centre, and helped promote the mental health of students and young people in general by partnering with the Psihomozaik association to deliver 30 mental health sessions.
The Belgrade office of Mastercard Europe SA won the award for long-term partnership between businesses and the civil sector for its long-standing collaboration with the National Association of Parents of Children Cancer Patients (NURDOR), which culminated in a 250,000 euro donation for NURDOR’s largest ever parent relief centre. According to Mastercard, the greatest success of these efforts has been the launch of Superhero, its online donations platform, and the Superhero fashion brand.
Hemofarm received the special award for most innovative project for Nesalomivi (‘The Unbreakables’), a campaign the company conceived in 2021 to combat depression and the stigma associated with mental illness. The campaign provided assistance and support to 9,000 people via a free-of-charge anonymous telephone helpline, e-mail help centre, and social media accounts
