Nominations open for 2012 Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value

Nestlé Middle East has announced the opening of nominations from the region for the 2012 Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value (CSV), a global initiative that seeks to recognise and support outstanding individual or organisational achievement in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development – areas that form the cornerstones of Nestlé’s worldwide commitment to Creating Shared Value.

Launched in 2009, the Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value offers advice and financial support of up to CHF 500,000 (USD 480,000) to an individual, non-government organisation, or small enterprise working in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development.

It is awarded in alternate years to an innovation or project that has shown outstanding promise in improving access to, or management of, water; enhancing the lives of farmers and rural communities; or providing better nourishment to communities suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of the company's core business activities – namely water, nutrition, and rural development – where value can best be created both for society and shareholders.

“The CSV Prize goes beyond Nestlé’s own efforts to create value for its shareholders and for the communities where it operates, by encouraging and rewarding the most innovative examples of Creating Shared Value in action,” said Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO of Nestlé Middle East. “What distinguishes the Nestlé CSV Prize is that it commits to the Prize Laureate a sizeable financial investment over a period of time to assist in the development of the innovation and bring it to scale, thus helping ensure long-term success.”  

NGOs, small enterprises and individuals in countries across the Middle East can apply for the Nestlé CSV Prize, submissions for which are open until June 30, 2011. Applicants can either self-nominate or be nominated by others who are familiar with their work. Applications can be made online at www.Nestle.com/CSV/CSVPrize and further enquiries may be directed to CSVPrize@Nestle.com. Nomination process and conditions to apply are also detailed in the website.

The Prize Laureate is selected by the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Advisory Board, an independent body comprised of internationally recognised experts in corporate strategy, nutrition, water and rural development.

The 2010 Prize in Creating Shared Value was won by Cambodia-based International Development Enterprises (IDE). The not-for-profit organisation was selected from more than 500 applicants from 79 countries for its ‘Farm Business Advisors’ project – a market-based approach to increasing the net income of smallholder farmers through a network of more than 60 independent rural entrepreneurs, who provide technical advice while selling products such as high-quality seeds and irrigation equipment.

As part of its ongoing CSV initiatives in the region, Nestlé Middle East has recently launched the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme – “Ajyal Salima” - an initiative that aims to entrench nutritional awareness, better eating habits and a more active lifestyle among 9-11 year-old schoolchildren. Further, in order to promote water education in the region, Nestlé has launched the Project WET initiative (Water Education for Teachers). The programme has so far been introduced in Lebanon back in 2006 and will be rolled out in the wider region.

Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of the company's core business activities – namely water, nutrition, and rural development – where value can best be created both for society and shareholders.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is awarded in alternate years to an individual, a non-government organisation (NGO) or a small business to reward an outstanding innovation or project in the area of water, nutrition or rural development.

While applicants may be based anywhere in the world, their initiative must be implemented in a developing country and backed by a sustainable business model. It should have already achieved small scale success, and must be judged feasible on a broader level, or in other communities.

The nomination period closes on 30 June 2011. The recipient will be announced in 2012. For more information and how to apply, visit: www.Nestle.com/CSV/CSVPrize.