Of the nearly 300 projects from the public and private sectors as well as young communicators competed this year in 21 main categories and 27 subcategories, 49 were awarded prizes. The Grand Prize went to “2018 Year of Troy” project of the Governorship of Çanakkale.

This year, UNDP Special Prize was given for the 8th time in Golden Compass Awards. The prize was granted to Metro Grossmarket for their Food Traceability Project to appraise their highly meaningful efforts in using innovative methods to improve their food security, supply chain management and consumer information systems.

In his speech at the awards ceremony, UNDP Turkey Resident Representative a.i. Claudio Tomasi mentioned that Metro Grossmarket is setting a very important example for its own business category and the whole business world. Mr. Tomasi explained the initiative as follows: "With the system that is developed and implemented by Metro Grossmarket, with a simple QR code, customers can track all processes and details of meat and fish products from the very beginning until their own kitchen. The project has links with Sustainable Development Goals number 2 and 12, which are ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and ensuring responsible consumption and production patterns.”

The UNDP Special Prize is a unique prize that rewards the companies with the best perspective on environmental and social impacts since 2012. This year, more than 200 projects have been reviewed based on businesses’ impact on sustainable development in Turkey.

“From women’s employment to education of disabled individuals, from biodiversity to sustainable agriculture, all of them provides invaluable support towards achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The high quality of the company initiatives made the selection process harder and we would like to thank all applicants for their commitments to achieve Sustainable Development Goals through responsible business models. Not just the winners, but all companies considered for the award are showing us a glimpse of a better future, a sustainable future for our children and their children.” said Mr. Tomasi.