Rector of the FinU Stanislav Prokofiev, taking part in the IV Vladimir Investment Congress, presented the implementation results of the responsible business ranking “Ecology. Personnel. State”, compiled by University experts.
The Vladimir Investment Congress annually gathers representatives of government and business on the same platform to discuss mechanisms for sustainable economic development of the Central Federal District regions. One of the Congress’ central topics was the introduction of the responsible business principles in the Vladimir region, and the further development of legislation in this area. The work of the profile discussion platform was opened by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev and the Governor of the Vladimir Region Alexander Avdeev.
The forum participants discussed successful examples of responsible business conduct and incentive measures for private companies. One of these tools is the ECG ranking, which allows taking into account national priorities and values in the framework of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“To compile the ranking, we used the most modern technologies, used all the data, primarily from the Federal Tax Service, and FinU has developed an appropriate methodology. By machine processing, they built a certain list of companies, assigned them certain ratings, while providing an opportunity to earn additional points. Together with the Vladimir Region, we have developed a pilot law that allows a responsible investor to claim privileges from the state that competitors cannot challenge,” Igor Shchegolev stressed.
Stanislav Prokofiev noted the importance of developing his own concept of metrics for companies’ sustainable development based on big data analysis and expert assessment of business social initiatives and stressed the growing interest of market participants in participating in the ECG ranking.
“Actually, today we are forming a unique data bank on the best practices of social, environmental and corporate responsibility of companies. 113 companies, more than in any existing ESG ranking, have currently completed the full assessment procedure. This knowledge base allows you to learn not only about the usual measures to support employees, but also about innovative business solutions,” explained the FinU Rector.
The Vladimir Region has become a pilot region in promoting responsible business. The practice of implementing responsible business approaches has already interested colleagues from other Russian regions and Belarusian partners.
As part of the business program of the Vladimir Investment Congress, Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of the FinU, and the Governor of the Vladimir Region signed an agreement on cooperation between the University and the region. The document provides for the implementation of joint projects in educational, research, and career guidance activities. Special attention will be paid to improving the quality of training specialists for the regional economy: students will take part in specialized events and workshops, and will have the opportunity to practice in regional executive authorities. The parties expressed confidence that combining the expert and analytical potential of the FinU and the accumulated experience of the Government of the Vladimir region will contribute to the urgent tasks’ effective solution, management decisions’ improvement and creation of socio-economic development new models of the region and the country as a whole.
