The SERAS CSR Awards Africa calls for 2021 entries, unveils 5 new categories

The organizers of Africa’s foremost, gold-standard Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability awards –The SERAS CSR Awards Africa have announced the call for entry for the 2021 edition of the awards. The awards, which have grown in popularity across Africa, have become the signature award ceremony that annually celebrates the roles organizations across Africa play in ensuring that the continent meets the sustainable development goals target of the United Nations.

The 2021 edition marks a milestone in history as the awards attain the 15th year. In line with this, the organizers have announced some new awards categories. “This is a significant year for Africa and us as well when it comes to CSR and sustainability. When The SERAS began, it took us many toils to message why it was important for organizations to invest in CSR, sustainability, and communities across Africa. Adoption may have been painstakingly slow, but today we are happy that this awards platform has helped accentuate the importance of excellence and provide the guardrails that have helped sustainability grow into a veritable industry in Africa.

To mark the anniversary, we are introducing five new award categories and informing the public that because the sustainability industry is nearly two decades old, we shall also be inaugurating the Africa Sustainability Hall of Fame, beginning with the announcement of four Lifetime Achievement award winners from the four regions of the continent. We are also putting togethera show-piece ceremony that celebrates impact, excellence, and professionals who power the industry,” said Mrs. Mary Ephraim-Egbas, vice-chairperson of the local organizing committee and executive director of TruCSR Nigeria.

The SERAS theme for 2021 is- ‘Driving Sustainability Through Circularity: Localizing the SDGs for Greater Impact.’ The new award categories include -Circular Economy, Environmental Stewardship, Financial Inclusion, and Rural Population Integration

Twenty-seven Awards categories would be up for grabs.They include best companies in – Poverty Reduction; Promotion of Good Health/Well-Being; Partnership of The Year; Education Intervention of The Year; Reporting and Transparency; Work-Place Practice; Stakeholder Engagement; Not-for-Profit of The Year; Deborah Leipziger Africa Prize for Innovation; Gender Equality/Women Empowerment; Social Enterprise of The Year; Food Security; Water Sanitation; Climate Action; and Infrastructure Development. Others are Supply Chain Management; Sustainability Reporting; Sustainability Professional of The Year; Use of Storytelling/Communications; Outstanding New Entry; MDA/Government Sustainability Ministry of The Year; CEO of The Year; Most Responsible Business in Africa/Overall Best Company.

Over the previous editions, the awards have attracted nearly 4000 entries from 375 organizations from 19 countries. Our fact-finding missions have taken us to over 5000 project locations around Africa. Over the same period, there have been 240 competitive award winners, 20 individual recognition awardees, and 14 winners of the coveted Most Responsible Business in Africa Award.

In the 2020 edition, Investec Bank (South Africa) won the overall best company prize, closely followed by Dangote (Nigeria) and Zenith Bank (Nigeria), respectively.

Entries for the 2021 edition closes on June 30. Participating organizations can register at www.theseras.com. The award ceremony holds on December 4, 2021.