Responsible Business
SEE GALLERYThe company functions in the responsible business area, based on the CSR Policy adopted in 2010. Combined with CSR objectives, in each case accepted by the CSR Committee, the policy is the basis of and directs the actions of Budimex in the field of corporate social responsibility to benefit the company's stakeholders, the environment, and the company itself.
2013 was the year of improving the company functions in the area of responsible business. The CSR Committee was established to manage all CSR-related affairs in Budimex. The Committee reviews and approves objectives defined under the CSR Policy, regularly monitors their execution and authorises the implementation of new corporate social responsibility projects. Training was held for all the persons responsible for individual CSR activities in all the business areas of the company; recommendations for Budimex objectives were proposed. The Committee has approved the Budimex CSR objectives for 2014-2015, helping to define the company's corporate social responsibility activities for the next 2 years.
Budimex has been a leader in CSR reporting in the Polish construction industry. The company has been releasing CSR reports for the past five years. In 2011-2012, the reports were assessed at B+, which indicated that that a wide range of GRI criteria were also verified by an independent auditor. In 2013, the CSR report was developed in line of the latest GRI G4 guidelines and also submitted to external verification.
“Global Compact” is an initiative undertaken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in order to promote the responsibility of companies towards society. Budimex has been actively participating in the project, which confirms the company's commitment to the 10 fundamental principles concerning human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption activities; it also obliges the company to undertake initiatives that will attest these principles.
In 2010, Warsaw Stock Exchange launched the first social responsibility index in Central and Eastern Europe. The idea of the RESPECT Index project is to find companies managed in a responsible and sustainable way which are also attractive in terms of investment and characterised by high quality of reporting, relationships with investors and information governance. Because of the inclusion of a liquidity parameter in the evaluation criteria, the RESPECT Index, like other stock market indices, constitutes a real reference for professional investors. Budimex has been a member of the index since 2011. Once a year, the company must undergo a three-stage evaluation followed by an audit of the company's compliance with the highest standards of corporate governance and CSR.
Budimex manages two social programmes of its own. The first is “Domofon ICE”. Launched in 2010, the programme involves providing grade 0-3 schoolchildren with plastic cards with contact details of their next of kin to be contacted in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the campaign has a broader educational dimension as it promotes the principles of road safety and first aid among young people. All children participating in the programme receive mobile phone-shaped cards together with a fluorescent holder that can easily be fixed to a backpack. Thus far, the programme has included over 12,000 children from 92 schools nationwide. In 2013 alone, 4,095 children from 18 schools participated in the programme.
Playing time: 2:14WATCH MOVIEAnother social responsibility programme is the “Strefa Rodzica” [Parent Zone], aiming to provide children's departments at hospitals with isolated zones, where parents can spend time with their sick children in decent conditions Depending on the needs and conditions in individual hospitals, this can involve refurbishing an unused space or part of a corridor, equipping the hospital with an appropriate number of foldaway beds or sanitary devices, and organising a place to rest and play with the children. “Parent Zone” also involves the personal engagement of the employees of Budimex SA, who volunteer to outfit renovated spaces, help in the assembly and placing of furniture, and do small finishing works. In 2013, Budimex launched four Parent Zones in children's hospitals in Lublin, Białystok, Łódź and Katowice. The Zones launched in 2013 can be used by approx. 11,000 children a year.
Effective corporate social responsibility activities were recognised by the company's environment. Budimex was awarded the CSR Silver Leaf in the “Polityka” 500 List. A CSR study was conduced alongside the publication of the 500 largest companies listed by “Polityka”. The study followed the ISO 26000 standard, which provides practical guidelines for corporate social responsibility, sets a CSR framework, and explains CSR principles and values.
Budimex's social commitment is also visible in its support for selected foundations. In 2013, the company donated money to the “Na Ratunek Dzieciom z Chorobą Nowotworową“ foundation for treatment of children with cancer, and for the construction of “Przylądek Nadziei” – Clinic of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Children's Haematology of the Wrocław Medical University. The “Wróć” Foundation for Children Injured in Transportation Accidents received funds from Budimex for the purchase of a paediatric Lokomat – a modern device for walking therapy and evaluation.
Budimex also provided support to Jacek Gaworski, a distinguished Polish fencer suffering from multiple sclerosis. In 2013, the company helped to cover the costs of the experimental treatment of a spinal tumour he had been diagnosed with.
In response to society's demands, the company became a partner of the “Budimex Półmaraton Augustowski”, a half marathon race organised to promote a healthy lifestyle It is the largest running event in the region, and its 2013 edition drew a record-breaking number of participants.
As in previous years, the company remains involved in the organisation of the Polish Sailing Championship for the Disabled. The year 2013 witnessed the 19th edition of this event.
Budimex has been a long-time supporter of the J. Waldorff Social Committee for the Stare Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. In 2013, the company provided funds to save historical chapels and tombstones.
Apart from community, charity and sponsoring initiatives, the company also carried out educational activities, supporting the organisation of professional and industry conferences, congresses and seminars. Budimex representatives participated in many of those as experts.
In 2013, Budimex Group made donations totalling more than half a million PLN.
