In this issue of the Ukraine CSR Bulletin: National corporate volunteering contest 2011 launched; McDonald’s Ukraine kicks off tenth ’Happy day’ campaign; Genderfilmfest awards movie winners.

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NEWS

 NATIONAL CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING CONTEST 2011 LAUNCHED

We would like to remind our readers that EEF along with UN Global Compact Network in Ukraine, UN Volunteers programme, European Business Association, American Chamber of Commerce, U.S. PeaceCorps and Ukrainian Philanthropists Forum has initiated the National Corporate Volunteering Contest, which aims to recognize and celebrate businesses with employee volunteering programs that are helping to solve vital problems in society. The initiative is also aimed at promoting volunteering among Ukrainian companies.

The contest will include nominations in the categories of Life Quality Improvement, Education and Culture, Health and Sports and Environment. The main award categories will cover large companies, SMEs, and joint initiatives involving businesses and NGOs.

To apply for the contest, each company must complete an application form.

All application forms must then be sent to award@eef.org.ua. Important dates to remember: deadline for applications - 28 December 2011.

The contest jury will consist of business association representatives, UN in Ukraine experts as well as representatives of other Ukrainian and international organizations involved in the promotion of volunteerism. Announcement of results: National winners will be recognized during an official award ceremony to be held at the beginning of 2012. Who can apply: Ukrainian and international companies whose volunteer programs have been active for at least two years and which meet contest entry requirements.

For further questions regarding the contest and participation issues, please contact EEF Communications Manager Kateryna Kopchuk at (044) 200 3824 /25 /26 /27 or email award@eef.org.ua.  

 MCDONALD’S UKRAINE KICKS OFF TENTH ’HAPPY DAY’ CAMPAIGN

On 1 November 2011 McDonald’s Ukraine kicked-off its tenth annual "Happy Day" charity campaign. The main goal of the project was to collect funds for the purchase of much-needed medical equipment for 25 Ukrainian children’s hospitals.

Visitors to McDonald’s restaurants can take part in this charitable initiative simply by buying a symbolic heart or key chain, or by buying French fries on 13 November.

Ukrainian singers also took part in the campaign, performing Ukrainian, Russian and English lullabies and creating an exclusive CD entitled "Stars’ lullabies".

More details about this campaign (in Ukrainian) can be found here.  

 GENDERFILMFEST AWARDS MOVIE WINNERS

On 12 November the Youth Film Festival "GenderFilmFest" awards was organized by UNDP together with the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine with support from the Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy. The organizers and jury awarded the authors of the best short films highlighting existing gender stereotypes in Ukrainian society.

The GenderFilmFest festival was the culmination of the short movie competition "Gene of equality" which attracted young people to gender issues. Within four months, young people filmed videos expressing their ideas on the main gender issues: equal rights and opportunities for both women and men, as well as on domestic violence.

Films were presented in two nominations: "5 minutes on gender equality" and "5 minutes on domestic violence prevention". The main goal of the contest was to raise awareness among young audiences about gender inequalities and domestic violence. More information can be found here.