site.btaCorporate Social Impact Takes Centre Stage at Annual Responsible Business Awards 2025

The winners in the 2025 Annual Responsible Business Awards were announced by the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum here on Monday. The awards marked the 23rd edition of the national competition for corporate social responsibility, sustainable development and diversity.

Awards in the individual categories were presented by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy Hasan Ademov, Deputy Education and Science Minister Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Environment and Water Minister Malina Krumova, Deputy Economy and Industry Minister Anton Kostadinov, Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency Executive Director Boyko Takov, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Sofia Elizabeth Chapman, and Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum Management Board member Maxim Behar.

Gurov presented the award in the first category, Investor in Society, which went to The Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria for its Long-Term Investment in People, Communities and Bulgaria's Sustainable Future initiative, a portfolio of long-term projects supporting young people, small and medium-sized enterprises, communities and the environment with measurable and lasting social impact. The jury chose the winner from 32 nominations.

While presenting the award, Gurov said: "We have gathered to recognize not only success, but also responsibility. Responsibility when, after achieving success, you give back to the society that created you. And on the other hand, being able to admit, even to yourself, that success is not always personal. It is the result of many things, sometimes institutions, more often the environment in which we work, and almost always the people and teams with whom we created these successes."

In the Investor in the Environment category, in which seven initiatives competed, the award went to JTI Bulgaria (Japan Tobacco International Bulgaria EOOD) for its Drop by Drop programme, a three-year programme conducted in cooperation with BCause Foundation aimed at improving access to clean drinking water and hygiene services through partnerships with the non-governmental sector and municipalities across the country. Krumova presented the prize.

In the Investor in Knowledge category, the jury named Devin the winner for The Hour of Devin initiative, an educational project that helps children build healthy hydration habits and a responsible attitude to water as a valuable natural resource. Vitanov presented the award. A total of 20 projects competed in this category.

In the next category, Investor in Human Capital and Working Conditions, which drew 17 nominations, first place went to DPM Krumovgrad EAD for the company's initiative DPM Krumovgrad with a Focus on the Future and a Sustainable Transition, From Mining to New Professional Opportunities. The company invests in people and in the future of the region by developing skills and competencies that create real opportunities for sustainable employment and successful careers after operations at the Ada Tepe Mine ended. Ademov presented the award.

"Corporate social responsibility is one of the most modern social policies because it gives business the opportunity to invest in noble causes," Ademov said as he presented the prize. He added that investment in human capital is a precondition for quality in a company's work.

Among the 10 contenders in the Cause-Related Marketing category, first place went to Fantastico Group for the initiative Get Checked. Take Care of Yourself in support of Nana Gladwish – One in 8 Foundation. The project raises awareness of breast cancer and draws attention to prevention. The cause reaches hundreds of thousands of homes across the country, has 30 public figures as ambassadors, and has Prestige-96 AD as a partner. Kostadinov presented the award.

The award in the Best Social Policy by an SME category went to Astellas Pharma (Bulgaria) for the initiative Your Health Is Your Responsibility, dedicated to men's health and prostate cancer prevention. Takov presented the prize.

The winners in the Diversity in the Workplace category were Fantastico Group for its diversity, equality and inclusion strategy. It includes policies aimed at creating an inclusive environment in which every employee, partner and customer feels respected, accepted and motivated to contribute to the company's success, regardless of differences. Behar presented the award. Five initiatives competed in this category.

Chapman presented the special Engage award to Benefit Systems Bulgaria for its Sneaker Day 2025 initiative. The amount generated from the total number of people who exercised with the MultiSport card during Sneaker Day 2025 came to BGN 28,733, and the money was donated to provide water rehabilitation for young people with disabilities from Cedar Foundation centres. All participating companies competed in this category with their more than 90 projects in this year's edition of the competition.

A total of 60 companies from various sectors of the economy competed for awards in the seven categories with 91 social impact initiatives.

More than 200 guests attended the official ceremony, including senior managers from the companies taking part in the competition, member companies of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum and partner organizations, institutional representatives, jury members, diplomats and media representatives. The event included presentations of all entries, the naming of the winners in the seven categories and of the recipient of the special Engage award for employee engagement, as well as opportunities for meetings and discussions.

The Annual Responsible Business Awards are an established project of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum through which the organization recognizes effective investment in projects that make a significant contribution to society. The Forum aims to encourage good practice and promote successful corporate programmes that benefit employees, nature and society.

BTA is a media partner of the event.