With its activities, OTP banka demonstrates continuously that it has incorporated responsible, sustainable and green operations into every segment of its business. Through its GENERATOR platform, it has recently launched a new, sixth cycle of its Generator ZERO contest, which supports innovators and their solutions for reducing the carbon footprint. Also, through this year’s and fourth Social Entrepreneurship Fair and the Generator of Good Deeds, it will once again support socially and environmentally aware entrepreneurs that have innovative, organic and sustainable products. These are just some of the initiatives that the Bank implements with the aim of creating a greener and better
Milena Mićanović, Head of Communications and Public Relations at OTP banka emphasises that Generator ZERO is one of the Bank’s most important projects that is adapted to the needs of the market and social circumstances.
“Applications were open from 01 February to 15 March, and in a period slightly over a month, as many as 116 projects applied. Our jury, which includes representatives of OTP banka and partners, will have the difficult task of selecting the semi-finalists from the large number of solutions received, and then those who will be in the final. The winner will receive prize money of two million dinars and long-term expert support in the field of business expansion and identifying new opportunities, while our project partners will award the finalists”, stated Mićanović and added:
“It is important to emphasise this relates to corporate social responsibility initiatives, and at OTP banka we consider environmental protection and the development of the circular economy as spheres requiring the involvement of all of us. Precisely from this belief we are constantly seeking new initiatives and projects with which we will trace the path to a green future.” Generator ZERO is OTP banka’s most awarded project, and one of the awards it received is the Grand Prix of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the award of parent company OTP Group for the best ESG and sustainability project. Last year which was full of challenges for all economic actors, OTP banka also received prestigious awards from the international professional public, from Euromoney and The Banker, which declared it the best bank in Serbia. The Serbian Association of Managers also named OTP banka CSR company of the year.
This year as well during spring, through the Generator of Good Deeds initiative, OTP banka will draw attention to projects that are simultaneously striving to bring changes to society and strengthen domestic entrepreneurship. This programme emerged in 2019 with the aim of affirming and strengthening the visibility of social entrepreneurship among domestic manufacturers that have a business model based on creativity and humanitarian or sustainable operations.
Apart from investing continuously in the environment, innovation and social entrepreneurship, OTP banka is also committed to many other areas.
The previous, third iteration of this programme took place last October in Novi Sad. On this occasion, domestic entrepreneurs presented products that, through sales, support ecological projects or vulnerable groups like victims of domestic violence, persons with developmental disabilities, socially vulnerable children or women from displaced areas.
Apart from investing continuously in the environment, innovation and social entrepreneurship, OTP banka is also committed to many other areas. It nurtures longterm partnerships with significant institutions, one of which is the Olympic Committee of Serbia. This cooperation represents the longest partnership in Serbian sports, which has lasted for 20 years, and serves as an example of successful cooperation between the business sector and sports institutions.
The Bank is also a strong advocate for the preservation of cultural and historical heritage, and the Gallery of Matica Srpska – one of the oldest and most credible institutions of culture in our country, has been its strategic partner in this area for the last seven years. It also supports literature, in cooperation with publishing house Booka, through the contest for the best hitherto unpublished novel. Following the great success of the first award competition, a new cycle of this project has been announced for 2023, with 15th May set as the deadline for the submission of manuscripts.
As the largest corporate and retail creditor, the market leader in factoring, leasing and e-commerce services, OTP banka will continue to move towards a sustainable society in the future, by providing support to the community, improving the quality of life, influencing the preservation of the environment and reinforcing sustainable business.