The award recognizes Italian SMEs that have excelled in upholding values of economic, social, digital, environmental, and inclusive sustainability.
Following the outstanding success of its first two editions, the "Sustainable Enterprise Award”, a joint initiative by Il Sole 24 Ore in partnership with the Pontifical Academy for Life and Piccola Industria di Confindustria, aimed at Italian SMEs, returns for the third consecutive year. The initiative aims to honour and award small and medium-sized enterprises in our Country that have successfully implemented effective, sustainable, and community-beneficial solutions. These enterprises have distinguished themselves by upholding values of sustainability across various sectors - not only environmental - thereby setting an example for others. Applications are now open for the 5 award categories, including the new Inclusive Sustainability.
The 2020s are already defined by historic crises and emergencies - economic, social, and humanitarian - such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, posing a real risk of prolonged warfare, increasing global instability, challenges in raw material procurement, the enduring impacts of the pandemic, and critical energy issues. Despite the many difficulties and critical aspects of the current situation, businesses in our Country are demonstrating resilience and determination. This characteristic, intrinsic to Italian culture, enables them to embrace innovative solutions and approaches, effectively addressing the challenges posed by both the present and the future. Numerous Italian companies have expedited innovation and digital transformation processes, while others have pursued paths of development and expansion using different approaches, emphasizing sustainability in both environmental and broader contexts.
Il Sole 24 Ore, along with its partners, aims to gather, narrate, and highlight these new stories of resilient entrepreneurship through the "Sustainable Enterprise Award”. These stories showcase individuals who, despite facing unexpected and often unpredictable challenges, have crafted effective solutions that benefit their communities. These virtuous examples and positive experiences will serve as a catalyst and inspiration, revitalizing the entire socioeconomic system to become more equitable, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Each company can submit its application by Sunday, 22 September, selecting up to two categories from the five available for the Award. The Environmental Sustainability category focuses on innovations and sustainable processes that positively impact the environment. Digital Sustainability evaluates IT technologies aimed at generating positive impacts and spillovers to improve the environment, economy, and society at large. Economic Sustainability emphasizes processes that promote job creation, retain added value locally, efficiently combine resources, and foster sustainable, long-term growth that supports the local economy and community. Additionally, Social Sustainability encompasses initiatives and innovations aimed at achieving genuine equity in society, with a diversity of actions affecting legal, economic, and cultural levels. Lastly, the fifth category, introduced for the 2024 edition, is Inclusive Sustainability - Design for All. This category focuses on projects and initiatives aimed at creating environments, products, buildings, and solutions that are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, following a universal design approach.
For each category, a dedicated Commission will select 3 winners who will be recognized at the Sustainability Forum hosted by Il Sole 24 Ore on 23 October in Rome. For the 2024 edition, the jury includes Fabio Tamburini, Editor-in-Chief of Il Sole 24 Ore, and Director of Radio 24 and Radiocor (also the President of the jury), Marina Brogi, Professor at La Sapienza University in Rome, Teresa Caradonna, Vice President ESG and Sustainable Value of Piccola Industria Confindustria, Edoardo Garrone, Chairman of 24 ORE Group, Andrea Notarnicola, Global Inclusion - art. 3, Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life, and Msgr. Dario Edoardo Viganò, Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences.
The regulations and details on how to participate in the "Sustainable Enterprise Award 2024" are available at ilsole24ore.com/pis2024 and further information is available by emailing impresasostenibile@ilsole24ore.com.