The recognition launched by POLIMI Graduate School of Management in collaboration with CDP is aimed at medium-large companies operating in the sectors of infrastructure and international cooperation as well as Public Administrations

A special award will be given to SMEs in Southern Italy that have implemented initiatives in 2024 that generate value for the territory, communities and the environment

Milan, 10 March 2025 - POLIMI Graduate School of Management, together with Politecnico di Bari and Tiresia (POLIMI GSoM’s research centre for entrepreneurship, innovation and impact finance), has launched the first edition of the Impact Award, a recognition created in collaboration with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and dedicated to the best projects of companies and public administrations with high social and environmental impact. The Award aims to promote a culture of responsible investment and to support initiatives that generate a positive and concrete impact on the territory, communities and the environment.

In this first edition, the Impact Award is divided into two categories:

• The first includes companies - medium-large corporations, infrastructure companies, international cooperation companies - and public administrations which, in 2024, entered into financing with CDP to carry out projects with high social and environmental impact. These will receive an invitation to apply from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
• The second includes the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Southern Italy with registered offices and operating in Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia or Sicily, to which an ad hoc recognition is assigned with the collaboration of Politecnico di Bari. Companies interested can apply by submitting the initiatives carried out during the last year by 28 March, by visiting the following website: Link.

Companies and Public Administrations of both categories have the opportunity to compete for two separate awards: Social Impact and Environmental Impact. In addition to a symbolic prize and dedicated communication activities, the winners will have access to educational tools provided by POLIMI Graduate School of Management, aimed at consolidating and amplifying their positive impact on society and the environment.

"The Impact Award aims to enhance and promote projects that can serve as an example for the public and private sectors, encouraging innovative practices capable of generating tangible benefits for society", commented Mario Calderini, Professor of POLIMI Graduate School of Management and Scientific Director of the Impact Award. At a time when sustainability can no longer be understood as a mere regulatory obligation but must become a strategic value for businesses and institutions, the Award recognises those who interpret this concept in a transformative and proactive way, guided by a clear and well-defined purpose.”

Selection and awards ceremony

The Impact Award’s selection process includes a first phase of preliminary evaluation of applications that analyses the ethical conduct and responsible governance of the participating companies and public administrations. The projects that pass this stage  will access the second evaluation conducted by POLIMI GSoM, Tiresia and Politecnico di Bari for SMEs, in which the social and environmental impact of the initiatives submitted will be analysed in detail.

In the final phase, a jury composed of experts in sustainability and innovation from the worlds of business, public administration and international cooperation will select the winning companies to be awarded during a dedicated event to be held between May and June 2025.