The modern business world increasingly recognizes the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR (Croatian = DOP) ) to achieve sustainable development, as evidenced by a series of global initiatives undertaken just for this purpose. The success of the company is measured not only by achieving more maximum profit, but rather balanced management of the key issues for the company, society and the environment in a dialogue with all interests-influential groups or stakeholders.

Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development with the support of the UNDP office in Croatia and AED launched a project to create the methodology for assessing voluntary CSR practices of Croatian companies named CSR Indeks. Indeks of CSR was developed by a group of Croatian experts, and is made on the model of similar methodology, especially the Business in the Community CR Indeks. The aim of the methodology is to provide an objective assessment of Croatian companies of its socially responsible practices and comparison with other practices. Methodology, including criteria in six main areas: economic sustainability, inclusion of corporate social responsibility in business strategy, working environment, environmental protection, market relations and relations with the community.

This year, the business address of 1450 subjects was sent an invitation to participate in the contest. Call the 42 companies responded. Is interesting to note that the reported companies meet all the criteria for the Golden “Kuna” of Croatian Economic chamber – which certainly speaks of the high level criteria that companies must meet in order to participate in the contest.

Awards “Indeks of DOP” are awarded in three categories for small, medium and large companies. Award for small businesses awarded Jasminka Trzun, vice president for legal affairs and internal structure of HGK, award received Ivan Senčar, director of Euro-Unit d.o.o, director Hauska & Partner Ltd. Daria Mateljak Bartulin and CEO of Oikon Ltd. Dalibor Hatic.

In the category of Medium Business Award has been awarded Director HR PSOR a Mirjana Matesic, and was received by the chief Hartmann Ltd. Boris Garaj, the administration Koncar – Electrical Engineering Institute Inc. Miroslav Poljak and vice president for the Atlantic sector of the group and health care – Neva d.o.o Tomislav Matusinovic.

In the category of large business award, “Indeks of CSR” awarded Vesna Trnokop-Tanta, Vice CCE, and received a bord member and director of strategic planning in Cemex Croatia d.d. Goran Loncar, CEO of Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d. mr. Gordana Kovacevic and director of industrial ecology and the management company Holcim (Croatia) Ltd. Zarko Horvat.

The award, DOP Indeks for 2009. re-confirmation of the consistency of Euro-Unit business policy is simple and unchanging from the very beginning that date back to ancient 1990th year. Constant monitoring and raising the level of quality goods and services, employee education, active participation in the work of local communities, environmental protection, and customer satisfaction. This business policy recognized by our numerous business partners, various local and international organizations and most importantly it is believed a large number of our retail customers satisfied.

After allocating the awards ceremony in the Hall of the Croatian Chamber followed the presentation of the CSR project. The program then continued to panel: Perspectives of socially responsible business in Croatia, which turned into an interesting and lively discussion by the press have said that should be conducted on other instances. Participants in the panel were: PhD Nenad Starc – Institute of Economics Zagreb, Mr. Zarko Horvat – Director, Industrial Ecology and Society bord member, Mr Ivan Tomac – Vice president of SSSH and Kresimir Socković – journalist.

Socially responsible business is certainly one of the most important conditions for the advancement of society as a whole, improving the quality of life to employees and the wider community, and in the Euro-Unit, it is woven into the very foundations of the company.