GRI and ING launch award for sustainable entrepreneurs at Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and 2010 Conference sponsor ING today announced the opening of “The Big Five Competition” in which they invite small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from around the world to compete for one of up to five booths worth €13,000 at this year’s Conference Market Place.

With this competition GRI and ING aim to enhance the profile of small and medium sized sustainable organizations and provide them opportunities to present themselves at the GRI Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency, the world’s largest gathering of sustainability reporting and transparency experts. The previous two conferences – held bi-ennially – were attended by over 1,000 participants.

All organizations with a turnover of less than €50 million in 2008-2009, with 50 or fewer employees, and with a sustainability-related product or service are welcome to apply via the Conference website. A panel consisting of GRI and ING representatives will review the applications and select up to five organizations to receive a free Market Place booth and Conference registrations.

“Small, cutting edge organizations all over the world are already playing a key role in the transformation to a more sustainable economy. Given that this year’s conference theme is ‘Rethink. Rebuild. Report.’ it is only fitting that they should be represented at the Market Place, and we look forward to receiving their applications,” said Simon Hale, GRI Conference Director.

The winners not only receive a free booth, but also two free conference registrations to attend all conference sessions and network with conference participants. The deadline for applications is 17 February.