Social responsibility
Socially responsible business is an important part of Zvijezda’s corporate philosophy, which recognises that its influence goes beyond the limits of production and reaches every corner of the community in which it operates. Zvijezda wants to participate in the creation of a better society based on respect for human rights, equal opportunities for everyone and environmental protection, and therefore, it aligns its business goals with the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.
Aware of its responsibility and influence on the community in which it operates, as well as towards the consumers who have shown their trust in it for more than a century, Zvijezda remains consistent with the high quality of its existing and new products on which it has built its long-standing tradition.
As an important part of its social responsibility, Zvijezda traditionally builds partnerships with associations that contribute to the development of society; namely, the Association for Inclusion, the Association for Down Syndrome, the Zagreb Association for the Blind and the Croatian Heart House Foundation. Through these collaborations, Zvijezda strives to support the community and promote inclusivity, equal opportunities and social justice.
Within the framework of cooperation with the Association for Inclusion, Zvijezda has been employing persons with intellectual disabilities for more than fifteen years, for which it received the Employer of the Year award for persons with disabilities (2009) and the Award for Key Difference in the Category of Equality for Persons with Disabilities (2011). In this regard, Zvijezda strives to actively contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that promotes equal opportunities, but also diversity in the wider social context.
All efforts undertaken by Zvijezda in order to contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable society through responsible business operations are summarised in the sustainability report, which has been published biannually since 2009.
Association for Down Syndrome
Cooperation with the Association for Down syndrome began on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Zvijezda, and one of the points of contact was that children with Down Syndrome are referred to as sunflower children. For years, traditionally, children and adults from the Down Association have painted the sunflower oil holiday label. Zvijezda regularly donates to the Association, and on several occasions, consumers were also actively involved.
Zagreb Association for the Blind
Cooperation with the Zagreb Association of the Blind was achieved with a donation of sunflower oil, olive oil and coconut oil from Zvijezda, which blind and partially sighted persons use to make soap by hand as part of the “Soaps with Dots” project. The dots on the soaps resemble Braille, which is a writing system used by the blind. It is a social enterprise through which the Association employs blind and partially sighted persons, who make solid and liquid soaps and sell them.
The Croatian Heart Foundation House
Zvijezda cooperated with the Croatian Heart Foundation House on the occasion of the presentation of a new functional product – the Omegol B1 spread. The foundation educates citizens about the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and Zvijezda supported its activities on the occasion of World Heart Day and public health action, but also organised a cardiovascular risk check-up for its own employees.
