Advancing Inclusive ESG: CESGA Launches Volunteers Excellence Award, Open to Self-Nominations Worldwide For Free
[PRESS RELEASE]
Certified ESG Association (CESGA), a professional association dedicated to advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and sustainable development, has announced the launch of the CESGA Volunteers Excellence Award, following the introduction of the CESGA ESG Design Award.
The new award is entirely free of charge and aims to recognise volunteer teams and organisations worldwide for their contributions to charitable initiatives and community service. It encourages meaningful action that creates positive social value and advances the social (S) dimension of ESG.
CESGA operates under a membership-based governance structure, with major initiatives submitted to its General Assembly for review in accordance with its constitution and established governance procedures. The introduction of the free Volunteers Excellence Award represents an important step in expanding the Association’s community-focused initiatives and giving back to society. It aims to provide charitable and volunteer organisations of different sizes and resource capacities with opportunities to showcase their achievements and receive international recognition.
The award is open to self-nominations from eligible organisations worldwide. Applicants are required to submit their volunteer service plans, activity records approved internally by their organisation or verified by a relevant external body, and supporting documentation demonstrating the outcomes of their volunteer activities.
Participation is entirely free, with no application fees, evaluation fees or award ceremony-related charges.
Nominations will be assessed against several criteria, including the impact and continuity of volunteer services, tangible benefits to the communities and people served, team commitment, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Henry Pak, President of CESGA, said:
“ESG encompasses corporate ESG disclosures, low-carbon infrastructure and design innovation, while volunteer service also plays a vital role in creating meaningful social value. Many small and medium-sized community organisations, non-profit institutions and corporate volunteer teams make valuable contributions to their communities but have limited opportunities to receive recognition on an international platform.
We established this free award to complement the fee-based CESGA ESG Design Award. While the Design Award promotes professional innovation in ESG-related design, the Volunteers Excellence Award welcomes teams engaged in volunteer service, providing opportunities for organisations of different sizes and with varying resources to participate.
Through this initiative, we hope to bring greater visibility to the dedication and achievements of volunteer teams and encourage more organisations to integrate volunteer service into their long-term ESG and social responsibility strategies.”
Jamie Zhou, Chair of the CESGA Volunteers Excellence Award Jury, said:
“Volunteer service reflects a genuine commitment to caring for others and a spirit of service worth passing on to future generations. Behind every charitable initiative are teams whose passion, sense of responsibility and long-term dedication reflect their sincere commitment to the communities and people they serve.
Through this award, we hope to document and share outstanding volunteer experiences and inspiring stories, giving these valuable contributions greater visibility and wider reach.
Looking ahead, we envision this award as a bridge connecting charitable and volunteer organisations across countries and regions, fostering international dialogue and collaboration. By encouraging the exchange, preservation and promotion of outstanding practices, we hope to bring together a broader community of organisations and individuals committed to positive social change, collectively advancing volunteerism, community development and sustainable development worldwide.”
Award recipients will receive an official CESGA certificate, and selected outstanding initiatives will be featured on the Association’s official website (www.cesga.org). These published cases are intended to serve as reference examples of practical approaches to the social (S) dimension of ESG.
Through this initiative, CESGA hopes to encourage more organisations to develop and sustain meaningful volunteer programmes, extending the values of compassion, inclusion and equal opportunity across communities worldwide.
CESGA confirms that the two awards operate independently:
CESGA ESG Design Award: A fee-based award focused on ESG-related design projects. The registration fee covers award ceremony arrangements, award certificates and the publication of winners’ names on the official website.
CESGA Volunteers Excellence Award: A completely free award recognising volunteer teams and their contributions to society, with no nomination fees.
Looking ahead, CESGA will continue to develop its awards portfolio while maintaining its membership-based, non-commercial positioning. The Association remains committed to balancing long-term organisational development with inclusive public-benefit initiatives, encouraging the practical adoption of ESG principles across industries, institutions and communities.
For information on eligibility requirements, nomination materials, applicable fees and evaluation procedures for CESGA’s awards, please visit the official website: www.cesga.org
Email :info@cesga.org
