PwC Cyprus has placed corporate responsibility at the heart of its action

The organisation’s top priority is to protect the environment and support society, youth and entrepreneurship

Social responsibility has always been at the heart of every aspect of PwC Cyprus’ operation and action. Despite the unprecedented conditions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation continued to apply a comprehensive Corporate Responsibility programme, with the ultimate aim of supporting local society, protecting the environment as well as boosting entrepreneurship and Cypriot businesses.

Social action

As part of its social responsibility action, PwC Cyprus awarded students who have excelled in their studies at the University of Cyprus and other institutions. It also held its 19^th annual blood donation drive and took part in Europa Uomo Cyprus’ Movember annual campaign, with its people’s active participation. Moreover, it supported a number of non-profit organisations by offering €150,000’s worth of pro-bono services, while also offering donations totalling €65,000 to non-governmental organisations and charitable institutions. Over this past Christmas season, the organisation participated in the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council’s “Adopt a family for Christmas” campaign, by “adopting” 50 families. Its people also collected and donated food along with other essentials, in collaboration with the Alkionides Charity. PwC Cyprus continued to support cultural foundations that promote Arts and Culture, such as the Pharos Arts Foundation.

Supporting youth entrepreneurship

Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship continued to a main pillar of PwC Cyprus’ action this past year, through strategic collaborations with educators and business stakeholders such as the University of Cyprus, Junior Achievement, Chrysalis LEAP and the CYENS Centre of Excellence in Research and Innovation. As previously announced, in the past year PwC Cyprus was upgraded to strategic supporter of Junior Achievement Cyprus, further enhancing its longstanding support and collaboration with the organisation. Throughout the year, PwC’s people dedicated over 400 hours of their time to volunteer as mentors in the various entrepreneurship programmes. To support startups, PwC Cyprus implemented the “Scale-up” programme, which is specially designed to offer the services and tools required to accelerate their growth.

Environmentally conscious

Protecting the environment and continuously reducing its environmental footprint are amongst PwC Cyprus’ top priorities. To this end, it continued to implement a comprehensive Environmental Management System, under which best environmental practices are applied in the daily management of the organisation’s activities. It is worth mentioning that the organisation was certified, by an independent certification body with the ISO 14001 international standard for its environmental management system, while PwC Cyprus’ offices have been certified as “Green Offices”. At the same time, on the occasion of the validation of its targets by the “Science Based Targets” initiative (SBTi), PwC reaffirmed its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Responsible and innovative entrepreneurship

Throughout the year, PwC supported the business community by publishing informative material and studies, carrying out special conferences and organising online events. PwC Cyprus also launched Cyprus’ first ever interactive and innovative Experience Centre, which focuses on innovation and cutting-edge technology.

The organisation’s overall contribution

It is worth noting that the organisation’s total impact on society, the economy and the environment for the financial year 2021 has been measured at €168.4m, recording a €1.6m increase over 2018 and a €5.6m increase compared with 2015, the three years that this specific assessment was carried out.

Cleo Papadopoulou, Partner, In charge of Corporate Responsibility in PwC Cyprus, stated that “supporting the local community will continue to be at the core of the organisation’s actions” and that “promoting volunteerism and active participation of PwC Cyprus people in the projects implemented will always be an essential parameter”.