For me, social responsibility means first and foremost helping and contributing where needed, investing in prevention, focusing on the client, employee satisfaction and generally showing that we care about the world around us. I am very pleased that these ideas have resonated in our country and in our insurance company in recent years and are of interest to more and more people. This is the only way to develop society, improve the environment and the world, or at least to keep the difficult situation in some areas, such as the climate, from worsening even further. We only have one planet. We also only have one environment and immediate surroundings, both of the climate and social. It is up to us what kind of future we prepare.
When I look back at 2023 and summarise a few numbers, I can be really proud of my colleagues at Kooperativa. Last year, a record 1,527 employees participated in volunteering. Kooperativa has committed itself to the Charter against Domestic Violence, which was created by the initiative of the ROSA organisation - a centre for women, under the auspices of the Government Council for Gender Equality and the Government Commissioner for Human Rights. It currently brings together 16 entities from companies, institutions and organisations that are involved in the prevention of domestic violence and also help victims among their male and female employees.
We have, once again, made significant progress in the development of the VISION 0 Platform, which brings together entities interested in safer road traffic. We have been instrumental in changing the system of young drivers’ education, reflected in the amendment to the Road Act: The introduction of the so-called test driving licence for a period of 2 years and the possibility of obtaining a driving licence at the age of 17, under the condition of a mentor. The Kooperativa Foundation also supported the Assistance, the Fifth Degree project, which aims to promote systemic change that will enable all clients with disabilities to live more freely. As part of this project, we have paid five people for as much personal assistance as they need, not just as much as they can afford from the state allowance. You can read about a number of other projects and activities on the pages of this publication.
Of course, we are pleased that the Kooperativa Foundation and Kooperativa, our representatives, as well as the VISION 0 Platform have all been nominated for a number of awards for their activities. While I do appreciate this fact, I must also state that these awards are certainly not the reason why we try to behave decently, humanely and responsibly. It is our belief that this is simply the right thing to do, and it is our duty, among other things, to share our success with those who have not been so fortunate.
I would like to thank all those who have contributed to these ideas and activities, no matter how much.
Martin Diviš, Chairman of the Board
In 2021, we implemented a stakeholders' dialogue in accordance with the GRI 2021 standard. Knowing the needs and expectations of all Kooperativa stakeholders who are in a business, working or other professional relationship with us is key to the sustainable development of our business. We have identified the following groups as key stakeholders: employees, top corporate customers, customers, shareholders, the Board of Directors, company management, subsidiaries and sister companies, chambers and associations and the media (more than 1,800 completed questionnaires, individual stakeholder interviews).
In determining the level of stakeholder engagement, many organisations address the issue of how to work with the varying importance of their stakeholders. In order to distinguish the influence and interests of different stakeholders on specific topics and thus avoid a certain degree of subjective influence on the results, we used the so-called Mendel method of stakeholder prioritization. The Mendel matrix is a tool for prioritizing stakeholders with respect to their power to influence a given topic and the impact that the topic has on them. The matrix divides stakeholders into four quadrants to better enable an organization to prioritize and then formulate strategies towards each stakeholder. We supplemented this with the importance of each individual stakeholder involved, separately for each topic area. We then weighted the resulting score for each topic with the relevant weight for that stakeholder.
We defined relevant themes and divided them into four categories:
Topic |
Potential Impact |
Final score |
Reference to the Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
Product Marketing and Clarity |
Lack of transparency and lack of clarity in customer information can lead to more complaints, customer churn and sometimes fines or litigation. Unclear or complex insurance terms and conditions, ambiguous product terms and/or misleading business practices can have a negative impact on brand perception and possibly on the economic or social situation of customers. Customers expect insurers to provide clear marketing communications as well as a friendly approach to all customer groups, including specific groups (seniors, people with disabilities, etc.). |
8.3 |
GRI 417: Marketing and Labeling |
Customer data protection and cybersecurity |
The impact may be related to the degree of compliance with applicable legislation, the quality of technological security of customer data and private data, etc. |
8.2 |
GRI 418: Customer Privacy |
Preventing and promoting responsible customer behaviour |
This may include for example the introduction of products or associated benefits that encourage customers to take care of their health and behave safely and/or motivate them to behave in an environmentally responsible manner. |
8.0 |
SASB INSURANCE Sustainability Accounting Standard (2018): Policies Designed to Incentivize Responsible Behavior |
Product innovation, digitalisation and new business opportunities |
Pandemic and trends in digitalisation are fundamentally changing the way we work, do business and communicate, as well as the lifestyles and expectations of customers. Companies can thus influence their environments by the extent to which they take into account customer expectations, innovate to reflect market and societal trends, etc. |
7.9 |
Not a GRI/ SASB Standard |
Investing in line with responsible business principles |
Some insurers take into account criteria such as the social or environmental impact of an investment in their investment decisions in order to avoid potential reputational risk associated with insuring riskier clients, while incorporating forthcoming EU regulations. |
7.8 |
SASB INSURANCE Sustainability Accounting Standard (2018): Incorporation of Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors in Investment Management & Advisory |
Corporate governance, Transparency and Ethical Business |
Weaknesses in these principles can have negative financial, reputational or regulatory consequences. |
7.8 |
GRI 204: Procurement practices |
Partnerships |
Impact of partnerships to address key social challenges through sharing knowledge, technology and financial resources, promoting sustainable development, etc. |
7.5 |
Partly GRI 413: Local Communities a GRI 415: Public Policy |
Risk Management |
Insurance companies are continuously absorbing increasing regulatory demands, be it on risk capital liquidity, liability structure or risk management, while at the same time having to be transparent in how they incorporate these demands into their internal policies and arrangements. |
7.4 |
SASB INSURANCE Sustainability Accounting Standard (2018): Systemic Risk Management |
Flexibility, health and well-being of employees |
For example, through its occupational health and safety systems and policies, promoting the health and healthy lifestyles of employees and/or mitigating the health impacts of work performance. |
7.3 |
GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety |
Fair working conditions |
Impact on the environment through its approach to employment, creating fair working conditions, adequate wages and benefit offers that meet the basic needs of employees or employees of suppliers. |
7.2 |
Not the GRI Standard |
Responsible operation (waste, water, energy management, CO2 reduction) |
Impact on the environment through adherence to environmentally responsible operating principles, e.g. electricity or fossil fuel consumption, use of renewable energy, sustainable water or waste management. |
7.1 |
GRI 305: Emissions/ Climate change |
Donations, supporting communities and promoting social entrepreneurship |
Impacts can be positive or negative depending on how a company approaches donating, supporting solutions to important social issues, supporting communities and community life, as well as social entrepreneurship. |
7.0 |
GRI 413: Local Communities |
Diversity and inclusion |
For example, how actively the company promotes diversity and equal opportunities for all, ensures fair remuneration for men and women, develops an open corporate culture, etc. |
7.0 |
GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity |
Training and Development |
Impacting environment and employees with your approach to training, upskilling and performance reviews, or offering career development opportunities. |
6.7 |
GRI 404: Training and Education |
Sustainability in supplier-customer relationships |
Impact through the supply chain (e.g. by requiring specific sustainability principles from its suppliers, preventing and controlling environmental compliance, etc.). |
6.0 |
GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assesment |
The Rescue Circle Association is an organisation that develops and implements a number of preventive educational projects concerning risks and dangers. Projects include educational videos, multimedia textbooks, working and didactic aids for schools and more.
One of the significant projects is operation of the World of Rescuers facility, where anyone from the youngest to the oldest learns practically and through simulations. Every component of the Integrated Rescue System is also trained at the facility. Kooperativa has been a proud general partner of the World of Rescuers since 2020.
We are a full-service universal insurance company offering all standard types of insurance for individuals, small businesses and large corporations. We are a Czech company with the stable background of the Vienna Insurance Group, which includes more than 50 companies in 30 countries around Central and Eastern Europe.
The Vienna Insurance Group is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange and has a high rating in the main index of the Vienna Stock Exchange ATX; its shares are also listed on the Prague Stock Exchange.
Kooperativa, together with 15 other companies and institutions, have committed to uphold the Charter against Domestic Violence, which was presented on the 11th of December on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.
The Charter against Domestic Violence was initiated jointly by Vodafone, IKEA and Rosa - a centre for women, under the auspices of the Government Council for Gender Equality and the Government Commissioner for Human Rights.
Currently, 16 entities are involved in this initiative, including companies, institutions and organisations that actively fight against domestic violence and provide assistance to victims, including those abused by their male or female employees. The workplace should be a safe haven for victims of domestic violence, which is why employers and colleagues play a key role in identifying the problem and providing the necessary professional support.
Kooperativa was the first insurance company to commit itself to spreading awareness of this important issue, helping employee victims and determined to create a safe work environment for all.
Martin Diviš, Chairman of the Board of Kooperativa, won the insurance agent of the year award.
o „I am very pleased that we have won among insurance companies, in an industry that is showing its strength and stability even in these difficult times, proving to clients that they can rely on their insurance company. Our thanks, and this award, goes to all our colleagues who contribute to the quality care of our clients. And I can promise on their behalf that we will continue on this path,“ Martin Diviš, Chairman of the Board
1st place in the categories:
The VISION 0 Platform was a finalist for the second year in a row in the Excellence in Road Safety Awards announced by the European Commission, following on from the previous year's success
Sustainability Star award for the best sustainable projects for the Prevention programme for a more resilient landscape
Awarded to Martin Laur, member of the board of Kooperativa and director of the VISION 0 Platform, for his significant contribution to driver education in the Czech Republic
„I am glad that in the 5 years since the creation of the VISION 0 Platform, we have managed to implement and support many useful projects, which were aimed at, for example, setting the parameters for new legislation on the issue of young drivers, with significant support from the Czech Insurers' Bureau damage prevention fund. Furthermore, together with the Association of driving schools, we undertook educational excursions abroad and at the same time organised a professional seminar in the Czech Republic to present the functioning of the Austrian education system for beginner drivers in Austria. I believe that these activities have helped to restart a possible reflection on the introduction of systemic changes," Martin Laur, Director of the VISION 0 Platform
The VISION 0 platform
against aggression on Czech roads
KOOPILOT teaches drivers
how to drive safely
Flood prevention
and water retention in the landscape
more than 2.5 thousand rides
on the Rekola
saved aprox 1.6 t CO2e
Nearly 700 mobile phones
collected
100 % of retired working
IT equipment donated
Almost 10 tonnes of end-of-life
electrical equipment
2 892 women
1 266 men
Women Managers Club
and SEN Club
5 Free days,
1 Care day,
1 Charity day
A life of dignity for people
with disabilities
17 fundraisers
With the Tree for a better life
we raised CZK 1 million for 18 organisations
7 charity breakfast events
1,527 volunteers involved
The Kooperativa Foundation primarily supports organisations that promote systemic change on a societal level. We work together on the basis of long-term partnerships, with an emphasis on prevention, especially in the field of mental health. An important part of our support is dignified living of people with disabilities in their home environment, seniors and other vulnerable groups. Employees are also involved in our activities.
All activities would not be possible without the support of our partners in the non-profit sector. They help us understand problems of those who are less fortunate. They also give us the tools and opportunities to support individuals as well as entire families and prevent further difficulties.
We want people with disabilities to be able to live free and fulfilled lives, which is why we support organisations like Asistence/Assistance, Silou hlasu/The Power of Voice and Pomocné tlapky/Helping Paws. Our prevention project in the field of supporting people with disabilities is BanalFatal!, a programme created by the Czech Paraplegic Association. In the field of mental health, we cooperate with the Nevypusť duši/Don’t Let Go of the Soul organisation, which also deals with prevention. In the field of mental health, we cooperate with the Don’t Let Go of the Soul organisation, as well as with the Sluchátko/Telephone receiver Therapeutic Line and other organisations.
In cooperation with the Czech Streetwork Association, we supported 16 organisations that provide psychotherapeutic and crisis intervention activities in low-threshold facilities for children and youth. 1.4 million CZK was distributed for the implementation of this important work.
We support systemic improvements that change the lives of people with disabilities for the better. We have completed a year-long pilot project: Pátý stupeň/Fifth Degree, which provided essential assistance to five people with severe disabilities. This project also included an impact study, a Czech Television documentary and a conference in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament.
Pomocné tlapky/Helping Paws, an organisation for training assistance dogs, has been supported by Kooperativa for a long time. During 2023, 11 assistance dogs were placed in care of new owners. Two canistherapy weekends were held and a graduation ceremony for the dogs took place on Kooperativa premises.
Seemingly trivial injuries can have fatal consequences. We are a partner of the BanalFatal! programme for preventing spine and spinal cord injuries. We supported the production of an awareness and prevention 3D animation video that shows the fragility of the spine and spinal cord and the consequences of possible injuries.
Kooperativa employees have played and continue to play an important role in our efforts to help those in need. Every year, we are actively involved in helping others and local communities in Prague and other regions through volunteer days (Day for a better life) and material or financial collections.
We know that life's dramas do not happen outside of our world, which is why we are here for all employees and their loved ones through the Fund for a better life when life gets tough, not just for non-profit organisations and their clients.
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The Good Neighbour programme brings together ideas on how Kooperativa and its foundation can be useful in places where it operates - i.e. across regions. This assistance takes various forms: from material collections, financial contributions to long-term partnerships. Life is all about human stories and situations that cannot be predicted and in which we appreciate a helping hand.
For the year 2023, colleagues organised a total of 17 fundraisers and 7 charity breakfast events and donated a total of 1.3 million CZK together with the Foundation's multiplier.
The charity project Tree for a Better Life, which is traditionally part of the pre-Christmas period, was held for the 14th time and once again brought joy to non-profit organisations and their clients.
Thanks to the generous contributions from Kooperativa and Global Assistance employees, who together donated 647 252 CZK, and the supplement of the Kooperativa Foundation in the amount of CZK 306 997, we were able to fulfil the Christmas wishes of 18 organisations and one person for a total of almost 1 million CZK. 733 of our colleagues contributed to the success of this collection.
The Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report 2023 presents information for the period between the 1st of January 2023 - 31st of December 2023. The information presented is a selection of Kooperativa's activities and priorities in the area of responsibility and sustainability. This report is not issued in fulfilment of legal obligations to report non-financial information and is not verified by an external auditor. The non-financial information is included in the consolidated report of our parent company VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe, which is available online at https://group.vig/en/sustainability/.
If you have any ideas, recommendations or feedback in connection with the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report 2023 or with corporate social responsibility at Kooperativa in general, please write to us at odpovednafirma@koop.cz.
Kooperativa is a fair, strong, and important company; however, we want to be more than that. We would like our imprint and everything that we do to be considerate of the surroundings, helpful to people, friendly, and empathetic. We want to help and we will get ourselves involved, because we believe it is worth it and that life can be better.
