CB BureauOn February 11, 2011, Nestlé made a call for global
nominations for the 2012 Nestlé prize in Creating Shared Value (CSV).
Launched in 2009, the prize – financial support of more than
US$480,000 – is awarded in alternate years to an innovation or a 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.
An individual, a non-government organization, or a small
enterprise working in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development can self-nominate
or be nominated by others for the prize. Applicants may be based anywhere
in the world, though their initiative must be implemented in a developing
country and backed by a sustainable business model.
The prize laureate is supported by a financial commitment
over a period of time to assist in the development of their project or
innovation.
‘Nestlé’s basic approach to business is to create shared
value for its shareholders and the communities where it operates. This prize,
however, goes beyond Nestlé’s own efforts. It encourages and rewards the most
innovative examples of creating shared value in action today,’ Antonio Helio
Waszyk, chairman and managing director of Nestlé India and head of South Asia region,
said in a statement.
In 2010, IDE Cambodia won the first Nestlé Prize in Creating
Shared Value for their Farm Business Advisors programme. Through an innovative
and market-based approach, IDE has developed a network of independent, small
rural entrepreneurs in Cambodia who give technical advice while selling
high-quality products to small-scale farmers.
IDE Cambodia is investing the prize to recruit and train an
additional 36 advisors – providing them with access to agricultural training,
market information and microfinance – as well as develop and strengthen
its franchise system. With this support, the organization aims to generate new
income for small-scale farmers, and benefit around 20,000 people in more than
4,000 rural households across the country.
The Nestlé CSV Prize Laureate is selected by the CSV advisory
board consisting of independent and internationally recognized experts in
corporate strategy, nutrition, water and rural development.
The nomination period closes on June 30, 2011, while the
recipient will be announced in 2012.