ESG commitment is becoming increasingly important in the modern business world, and companies are beginning to realize the importance of sustainable development and social responsibility. ESGnews.bg announced in February its first ESG awards, with which it will reward those who excel in this field. Application to the contest started on March 1 and will continue until May 31.
Strategic partners of the “ESG AWARDS” competition are the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact and the Faculty of Economics of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
The first ESGnews.bg awards would not have been possible without the commitment and expertise of our jury. To introduce you in more detail to the people behind the ratings and awards, today we are pleased to introduce you to the members of our jury.
George Kremlis
George Kremlis is the honorary chairman of the jury in the first “ESG AWARDS” organized by ESGnews.bg. He is a member of the Board of the European Public Law Organization and chairs its Climate and Circular Economy Institute. He is also a member of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Advisory Board and is currently Chair of the Bureau of the Espoo Convention. He was re-elected four times as the chairman of MOPs – in 2019, in December 2020, for the period 2021-2023, as well as for the new period until 2027.
George Kremlis is an Honorary Director of the European Commission (EC) and has acted in this capacity as an active senior officer for the circular economy of the islands. He is the Chairman of the Circular Economy Commission of AmCham and an advisor to the Environment Commission of the Greek Parliament. Until recently, he was a special advisor to the Greek Prime Minister of energy, climate, environment and circular economy issues.
Darinka Georgieva
The Executive Director of the Bulgarian UN Global Compact Network, Darinka Georgieva, is a Master of Law with extensive experience in managing projects related to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, acquired in her work for the UN Programme, Overgas and the Bulgarian Global Compact Network of UN.
Nowadays she works to promote the social responsibility of business, the implementation of the ten principles and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Global Compact.
Marina Stefanova
Assoc. Dr. Marina Stefanova is the director of the Master’s program “Responsible and Sustainable Management” at the Faculty of Economics, executive director of ESG Lab and ESG Academy. Chairman of the Sustainability Specialists Association (SSA). Creator and director of the multimedia informational and educational program “CSR AdviceBox” of the Causey Foundation.
Ivelina Vasileva
Ivelina Vasileva has more than 15 years of experience in the public sphere. In the period 2014-2017 she was the Minister of Environment and Water in the second government of GERB, being responsible for the development and implementation of national environmental protection legislation, climate change policies, monitoring and control, as well as for national and donor programs funding environmental projects.
Ivelina Vasileva was elected as a representative of the Burgas multi-mandate constituency in the 42nd, 43rd, 44th and 45th National Assembly. During the mandate from 2017 to 2021 she was Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Water and Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on European Affairs and Control of European Funds. He is currently a Board Member of the Mission for the Protection of Oceans, Seas and Inland Waters at the European Commission.
Valya Yordanova
Valya Yordanova is the founder and senior partner at BDO AFA, responsible for the company’s ESG policy. She is a certified expert accountant since 1992 and a registered auditor, a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA). From 2014 to 2020 she was the vice-chairman of the Management Board of ICPA, responsible for the Institute’s international activities.
She is currently a coordinating methodologist of the Educational and Methodological Council at ICPA, incl. for the ESG Working Group. She is the chairman of the Audit Expert Council at CPOSA. She has over 30 years of teaching experience. She is a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in accounting and IFRS.
How to apply for the “ESG AWARDS”?
Organizations from all spheres of activity that are registered in the Republic of Bulgaria – commercial companies, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, etc. – can take part in the competition.
After the end of the application period (May 31), our prestigious jury will evaluate the participants of the competition and at a special ceremony on September 19, 2024, we will announce the winners and present them with the prestigious awards.
ESGnews.bg calls on all organizations that share the commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility to join this important initiative and share their stories and achievements.
You can submit your application HERE
