Winners of the 2007 IFC Footprint Awards

The IFC Footprint Challenge recognizes and rewards individuals and offices that have taken steps to demonstrate commitment to sustainability. The award categories are established annually, and a panel of judges selects the winners based on a scoring system.



2007 Award results

BEST SLOGAN

Winner: Our mission starts at home
- Ari Skromne, Investment Officer, Advisory Services Department, Washington, DC

First Runner-up: Simple Actions Make A Big Difference!
- Enrique Gomez Tagle, Investment Officer, Infrastructure Department, Mexico



BEST FOOTPRINT INNOVATION ACCOMPLISHED IN 2006-2007

Winner: Istanbul, Turkey Office

Since December 2006, IFC staff from the Istanbul Office have been active visitors, volunteers and financial providers for 3 institutions — broadening their developmental impact outside work activities to help local "children survive and let them be children." At the Zeytinburnu Mentally Disabled Children Care and Rehab Center, IFC staff bought much needed urgent medical equipment through voluntary financial donations and using their allowance for the office Christmas party, saving lives of children and reducing costs for the Rehab center. They also donated furniture for a play room, dining room and bedrooms. At the Day Shelter for Children / Night Shelter for Victims of Domestic Abuse and Darulaceze Orphanage, in addition to the Rehab center, IFC staff provide basic hygiene products, toys and clothing on an ongoing basis, and make monthly visits. They also organized a New Years Party for the orphanage.

First Runner-up: Buenos Aires, Argentina Office

The Buenos Aires office has come up with innovative ways to raise funds to support the Fundacion Garrahan, a foundation supporting the Hospital Garrahan. The IFC office has set up paper and plastic cap recycling efforts, and sells the recyclables to raise funds. In addition, they have a recycling program for "techno-trash" and partnered with an NGO, Fundacion Equidad, which teaches underprivileged young adults a new expertise and helps them develop careers as computer technicians. The impacts have gone far beyond the two foundations and minimizing their own waste – several community groups have copied their program, including a local school and apartment building.



BEST FOOTPRINT INNOVATION PLAN FOR 2008

Winner: Dhaka, Bangladesh Office

"Individual good work doesn't count. We are talking about the world, the community and every single person is connected through the worldwide web of life." Through consultations with the community, clear and consistent communications, and targeted promotional activities, the IFC Dhaka Office will spread the footprint message. They are planning a joint effort with other community members to address waste management issues and air pollution, to encourage energy conservation, and reduce GHG emissions, and to stimulate community outreach activities. They believe a more informed and involved community will lead to many environmental and social changes, benefiting the wider community where the office is located.

First Runner-up: Infrastructure Department, Washington, DC

Three staff members in the Infrastructure department are spearheading a one-week Footprint Awareness initiative to educate their colleagues about footprint-reduction efforts that are easy, recognizing that staff are busy and there is a lot they can do with simple actions. In particular, they will focus on: a) household energy consumption reduction, b) responsible commuting, c) paper use reduction, and d) promotion of community outreach. Success of this effort will be closely monitored. This effort will be run by volunteers and will not require any funds.