Winners of inaugural Value Network Awards honoured in Vienna

The first international awards recognising collaborative value creation have taken place in Vienna. The inaugural winners were Teach for Austria, the Virtual Vehicle Research Center and Hofer.

First place went to 'Teach for Austria' which is a movement for educational equity. Top graduates and young professionals from different backgrounds become teachers in low-income schools for at least two years. The international jury said that the initiative was a unique attempt to match the needs of those with high potential with those of the socially disadvantaged. "As education is one of the core values in our society, this could be an example for other communities and countries to follow," it stated.

Second place was awarded to The Virtual Vehicle which is a research center for full vehicle system optimization that combines simulation and testing. The judges highlighted the multidisciplinary approach: "Small and medium-sized organizations and companies could use this case as an example of how to combine shared expertise and co-ownership in order to create solutions for complex issues."

Third place went to Hofer's Project 2020, a sustainability initiative designed for the active engagement of multiple partners. The jury admired its clear structure and ability to manage the expectations of different network partners: "It is an excellent example to other businesses of how to engage stakeholders around a strong vision, and how to highlight sustainability issues at a local and individual level."