"For 5 decades the flower sector has been a pioneer in Colombia in interpreting and including sustainability in each of its actions. We have developed over time a large number of programs and activities that have benefited more than 50,000 people annually in order to generate for our members and the country: welfare, inclusion, equity and respectful relations with the environment. For this reason, today we are proud to make visible, exalt and socialize the experiences that the sector is developing in this sense", said Augusto Solano, president of Asocolflores, from Cartagena.
In this, its first version, the Asocolflores Sustainability and Shared Value Awards evaluated 37 initiatives in the categories of Social Experiences and Environmental Experiences, rewarding a total of 6 companies.
During the presentation of the awards, the president of Asocolflores reiterated the commitment of the floriculturists to provide solutions to climate change and the construction of social fabric and said that all nominees represent the ability of the guild to do things differently by generating profitable business and demonstrate that if you work respecting people and adding value to their communities, sustainability can be achieved.
The winners were selected by a jury of experts made up of Sergio Rengifo Caicedo - executive director at CECODES, Bertha Carolina Trevisi - consultant and leader of the implementation of the ILO SCORE Programme in Colombia, Adriana Solano Luque - president of the Colombian Safety Council and Juan Ricardo Gómez Serrano - director of the Masters in Conservation and Use of Biodiversity at the Javeriana University.
Award winners
Social Experiences Category: recognition of the development of outstanding policies, programmes and/or projects to improve the experience of people, social and labour impact of the flower companies in different areas:
- Subcategory "Best management programme with the community":
Winner: Flores Isabelita
Project "Isabelita Inclusive and Diverse": strategy aimed at the inclusion of people with disabilities and at generating employment opportunities for other population groups considered vulnerable and minority groups (migrant population, LBTIQ+, women heads of household and victims of the conflict in Colombia, among others).
- Subcategory "Best management practice in occupational health and safety:
Winner: GR Chía
Project "School of safety and health at work": promotes the improvement of the technical skills of the target groups to intervene assertively in the operations, working conditions and risk factors specific to the floricultural sector.
- Subcategory Best management practice in training and well-being at work:
Winner: Flores de Serrezuela
Project "Our people flourish": improves the quality of life of people in their working environment and promotes the welfare of their families through different types of assistance, bonuses, casino service with subsidised lunch and free support line, health advice and promotes work-life balance through the "paid time checker", a tool that allows workers to have additional hours of free time to enjoy with their families, among others.
Environmental Experiences Category: recognition of the development of outstanding policies, programs and/or projects to mitigate the environmental impacts inherent to the operation of flower companies.
- Winner 1: AYURÁ S.A.S.
Project "Environmentally friendly practices": articulation of innovation projects and sustainable processes for the use of plant material, the use of solar energy, the automation of the sorting process within the Post-harvest, the replacement of wooden beds to metal and the management of Probiotics for the treatment of reservoir water.
- Winner 2: Agrícola Circasia S.A.S.
Project: Recovery of forest plant material and environmental social service": Rooting bank to protect native tree species and their subsequent replanting in restoration areas.
- Winner 3: Jardines de los Andes
Project "Landscaping and Biodiversity Environmental Management Programme": improvement of the landscape and biodiversity in all its farms to help the transition from exotic to native species through the implementation of a culture of protection and conservation of wild and migratory fauna.
For more information:
Luz marina Garcia
3008709595 
Asocolflores
www.asocolflores.org