EDF Sustainable Development Trophies awards 23 projects

23 EDF employees are the winners of the 2010 Sustainable Development Trophies. The internal competition is held every two years to highlight the value of employees’ work in promoting sustainable development, in both their professional and private lives.

The winning teams were awarded a financial prize of up to 10, 000 Euros, to support them with the implementation of their initiatives (training, communication and logistic support)

In March 2010, 60 jury members drawn from the senior management of various group companies, including Sarah Adams from GVEP International, were gathered by EDF Group to screen the submitted projects to sustainable development trophies.

With the idea to reconcile economic growth with respect for the environment and social progress, 538 ideas were put forward and 59 finalists were shortlisted and assessed by a jury of experts on criteria such as economic, environmental and social impacts, innovation, cooperation and replicability.

A wide range initiatives came from both developing and developed countries.

One of the award winning project worked with local communities to extend support to those struggling with debt and fuel poverty, while at the same time promoting energy efficiency and reducing the dues for the utility company.

Another is planning to set up a modular multi-energy power station that generates energy from renewable sources, which will operate pumps and ensure a sustainable supply of water to off-grid rural villages.

“These initiatives come from the very people who operate on the ground at the village level. It is precisely this grassroots involvement on behalf of EDF staff that the company is awarding. This competition is an example of the EDF's commitment to a responsible management of energy resources for the purposes of environmental protection. It also shows the Group’s commitment to ensure that its employees develop strategies that support the sustainability of EDF’s business.” – says Claude Nahon, Senior Vice President in charge of Sustainable Development at EDF.

The EDF example illustrates how grassroots-centred Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives can really make an impact in the communities in which their business is embedded.

To access the list of the 23 winners please click here.