We have obtained the Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Strategy certificate from the IRDO Institute
At the end of last month, eight new IRDO Strategist for Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development certificates were awarded under the auspices of the IRDO Institute, which has been monitoring and analysing the business practices of companies and other operators in the field of responsibility and sustainable business for many years. Both globally and at the level of the European Union and in Slovenia, major changes have occurred over the last two years in the strategic management, implementation and reporting on the social, environmental, economic and governance aspects of the business operations of all organisations.
For the first time, the 3rd generation of holders of these certificates includes a participant from abroad, Angelina Zatezalo, Director at Sava agency d.o.o. Sombor, Serbia. From Slovenia, the certificates were awarded to mag. Barbara Kobale from Marles hiše Maribor d.o.o., Mojca Marija Jenčič Petrovčič from GEN energija d.o.o., Marko Razdevšek from Engrotuš d.o.o., Ksenija Lipovšček, Headmistress of the Economic Gymnasium and Secondary School in Radovljica, Mihela Dušej from Press Clipping d.o.o., mag. Natalie Cvikl Postružnik from Insights, družba za odkrivanje in razvoj potencialov d.o.o., and Karidia Toure Zagrajšek from IRDO. Just like these individuals, their companies also received the certificates, thus committing to integrate social responsibility and sustainable development into the key management structures of the company and to act in accordance with ESG guidelines.
The event was hosted by Matej Vukmanič
The main "thinkers and feelers" in companies, as Chief Sustainability Officers are called in the world, and in our case the key Sustainability Strategists, were welcomed by Matej Vukmanič, Director of Marles hiše Maribor d.o.o., as the host of the event. On this occasion, he said: "At Marles hiše Maribor, we live and work by our motto 'Responsible to Nature and People'. We are aware of the importance of sustainable operations and our responsibility towards society. We understand corporate social responsibility and sustainable business as a broad concept that encompasses economic, social and environmental aspects, involving employees, strategic stakeholders and the environment, with a reciprocal and interdependent relationship between the company and the environment. The company must manage its impact in the environment, maintain a balance and thereby create a reputation. One of the most important strategic challenges for the company is the HR policy. We are working hard to attract and retain employees and want to be recognised in the environment as a socially responsible employer. We are proud that among the recipients of the Strategist for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development certificate is our colleague, mag. Barbara Kobale, who actively promotes the strategic introduction of sustainability and social responsibility in the company."
The strategic introduction of sustainability and social responsibility in companies and other organisations is in line with the European Green Deal and other strategic documents at global level, and is increasingly being introduced in Slovenia. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Strategists coordinate this activity, are the right hand to the company's management, and connect different departments, stakeholders and communicate up, down, internally, and externally within organisations. Globally, they are people with several years of experience, with at least a university degree, with the ability to manage strategically and develop organisations innovatively. During the gala event, the participants also had the opportunity to see the good practice of Marles hiše Maribor, the Smart Tour at Dom24h and to learn about the implementation of the GHG protocol in the company.
Winner of the certificate, mag. Barbara Kobale said at the award ceremony:
"At Marles hiše Maribor, we have been awarded the IRDO Institute's Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Strategy certificate, which commits us to the sustainable management of the company's environmental and social impacts. This fulfils our commitment to be a responsible company that cares for the environment and people. We use sustainable and environmentally and people-friendly materials, buy certified wood from sustainably managed forests, reduce our carbon footprint, identify opportunities and risks across the value chain and are a responsible employer.
To maintain certification, we will identify key areas of sustainability and social responsibility, aligned with the Global Sustainable Development Goals. We will put in place a system of quality data monitoring and reporting. We are aware that transparent sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important, even for medium-sized companies such as Marles hiše Maribor. This way, our clients know that by choosing a Marles house, they are also contributing to environmental protection, responsible attitudes towards employees, suppliers, the community and other stakeholders and, as a result, a better society."