Three projectsfrom many other entities, have received the awards this week from the Awards Future for all from the Cepsa Foundation. Instituted to recognize projects that promote a fair ecological transition and contribute to improving the quality of life of people and their environment, the aspiring projects had to impact the strategic axes of the Foundation: people, social innovation and biodiversity.
From among the 143 applications received, from startups, SMEs, foundations, associations and cooperatives from all over Spain, the jury selected 10 finalists. Of these, the winners were those presented by two small companies, Gravity Wave and Phytobatea, and a non-governmental organization, Ecodes. The general director of the Cepsa Foundation, Teresa Mañuecohas provided more details about this initiative.
What purpose has guided the Cepsa Foundation in creating these awards, beyond the specific requirements expressed in the rules?
The company has implemented a positive impact strategy more than two years ago. Therefore, as a corporate foundation we did the same: design a strategy aligned with the founder, in the same direction and with an eye on society and with social impact. With the advantage that a corporate foundation like ours has the possibility of paving the way, having a long-term vision and undertaking impact projects, but which do not have to have immediate results.
What areas of action have you focused on?
As we have to be very efficient with the resources we have, we have focused on three: people, biodiversity and social innovation, understood as an agent to promote the ecological transition. We saw that one way to help this transition and increase the positive impact was to recognize transformative projects that already have experience and are viable and scalable. And always with that social and fair aspect. That is why they combine the ecological aspect, innovation and impact. It is in the very nature of the Foundation and I believe it is the most important thing behind these awards.
They have not chosen to focus on projects that could be useful for the company’s operations in the field of energy transition, development of technologies, systems, etc.
The objective is not to look for projects for the company, it was not about creating a quarry for Cepsa. We are very clear that our great client, so to speak, is society and we wanted it to be the beneficiary of the projects. You just have to look at the three winners. They do not have any internal application.
143 applicants in the first edition is a success, but also the moment to set the bar for the contest in the future.
Of course. On the one hand, of course, it was necessary to select the projects that best fit that combination of innovation and social and environmental impact. And I have to say that they were all exceptional. On the other hand, also and just as we do in all our activities, with the Social Value Awards, which have already been in their 20th edition, and now with the Future for all, we want to establish relationships with transparent entities that can demonstrate efficient management with their accounts. and public and registered governance, etc. There I have to say that the jury has done a great job. To make a first evaluation of the projects. In the final phase, the 10 that remained had to make a presentation in pitch format, -for which they participated in a training that we offered them-, and there they could resolve the last doubts and further adjust the scores.
In addition to the financial award, 40,000 euros for each project, which is support to continue with their work, the award has a second part of mentoring and support.
We were clear that it was not about ‘I’ll give you the prize and you’ll see what you do with it’. Rather, we will sit down with the winners to see in which aspects they may require more help, closely monitor how they are implementing the projects with the new resources they have available, etc. As this is the first edition of the award, we will have to look at all of this one by one.
So you too are going to learn…
Of course. The whole process is being a great learning experience. Even in the presentation of the ten finalists, listening to them was like being in the presence of a great amount of talent and commitment. It has left us with a very positive feeling.
The awards: three transformative projects
The Gravity Wave company, for its initiative to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans, transforming them into durable products for the interior design and architecture industries, among others.
Phytobatea, a Cantabrian company and its La Pisondera project, with which they develop cutting-edge technology based on phytopurification, to create floating ecosystems that manage to purify contaminated water.
Not a home without energy, (NUHSE) of the Ecology and Development Foundation (ECODES), offers personalized advice to vulnerable homes to reduce their energy bills and promote responsible consumption habits. Launched in 2013, almost 40,000 people have improved the comfort in their homes with less spending and emissions.