Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize rewards an outstanding innovation or project by small enterprises, non-government organisations or individuals in the field of water, nutrition or rural development

Dubai, UAE - 20 March 2011:- Nestlé Middle East has announced the opening of nominations from the region for the 2012 Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value (CSV), a global initiative that seeks to recognise and support outstanding individual or organisational achievement in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development - areas that form the cornerstones of Nestlé's worldwide commitment to Creating Shared Value.

Launched in 2009, the Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value offers advice and financial support of up to CHF 500,000 (USD 480,000) to an individual, non-government organisation, or small enterprise working in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development.

It is awarded in alternate years to an innovation or project that has shown outstanding promise in improving access to, or management of, water; enhancing the lives of farmers and rural communities; or providing better nourishment to communities suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of the company's core business activities - namely water, nutrition, and rural development - where value can best be created both for society and shareholders.

"The CSV Prize goes beyond Nestlé's own efforts to create value for its shareholders and for the communities where it operates, by encouraging and rewarding the most innovative examples of Creating Shared Value in action," said Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO of Nestlé Middle East. "What distinguishes the Nestlé CSV Prize is that it commits to the Prize Laureate a sizeable financial investment over a period of time to assist in the development of the innovation and bring it to scale, thus helping ensure long-term success."  

NGOs, small enterprises and individuals in countries across the Middle East can apply for the Nestlé CSV Prize, submissions for which are open until June 30, 2011. Applicants can either self-nominate or be nominated by others who are familiar with their work. Applications can be made online at www.Nestle.com/CSV/CSVPrize and further enquiries may be directed to CSVPrize@Nestle.com. Nomination process and conditions to apply are also detailed in the website.

The Prize Laureate is selected by the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Advisory Board, an independent body comprised of internationally recognised experts in corporate strategy, nutrition, water and rural development.

The 2010 Prize in Creating Shared Value was won by Cambodia-based International Development Enterprises (IDE). The not-for-profit organisation was selected from more than 500 applicants from 79 countries for its 'Farm Business Advisors' project - a market-based approach to increasing the net income of smallholder farmers through a network of more than 60 independent rural entrepreneurs, who provide technical advice while selling products such as high-quality seeds and irrigation equipment.

As part of its ongoing CSV initiatives in the region, Nestlé Middle East has recently launched the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme - "Ajyal Salima" - an initiative that aims to entrench nutritional awareness, better eating habits and a more active lifestyle among 9-11 year-old schoolchildren. Further, in order to promote water education in the region, Nestlé has launched the Project WET initiative (Water Education for Teachers). The programme has so far been introduced in Lebanon back in 2006 and will be rolled out in the wider region.

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About Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value:
Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of the company's core business activities - namely water, nutrition, and rural development - where value can best be created both for society and shareholders.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is awarded in alternate years to an individual, a non-government organisation (NGO) or a small business to reward an outstanding innovation or project in the area of water, nutrition or rural development.

While applicants may be based anywhere in the world, their initiative must be implemented in a developing country and backed by a sustainable business model. It should have already achieved small scale success, and must be judged feasible on a broader level, or in other communities.

The nomination period closes on 30 June 2011. The recipient will be announced in 2012.

For more information and how to apply, visit www.Nestle.com/CSV/CSVPrize

About Nestlé:
For over 140 years, Nestlé has been applying its nutrition expertise in the development of products that contribute to the health and wellness of consumers, evolving into the world's foremost Nutrition, Health and Wellness company. Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé currently employs over 286,000 people in 456 factories and operations in almost every country around the globe.

"Good Food, Good Life" is the foundational philosophy upon which Nestlé continues to build an ever-increasing portfolio of quality brands that not only deliver on great taste, but on nutritional value as well. To that end, the company invests around USD 1.5 billion in research and development alone, every year.

Nestlé's portfolio of products includes Infant Nutrition, Milks, Soups, Bottled Water, Confectionery, Coffee, Beverage Creamers, Culinary and Breakfast Cereals.

About Nestlé Middle East:
Following nearly 70 years of success and heritage since its first Middle East operation in Lebanon in the early 1930s, Nestlé Middle East was founded in 1997 in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, and now serves as a regional hub to fulfil the needs of the GCC, the Levant, Iran and Iraq markets.

To date, Nestlé has invested more than USD 400 million in the region, owning and operating 17 factories and 37 offices. These capital investments have contributed heavily to creating job opportunities, enhancing technological and manufacturing capabilities, and fostering national economies around the region.

Nestlé's popular brands in the Middle East include NIDO®, CERELAC®, NESCAFÉ®, MAGGI®, NESQUIK®, CHOCAPIC®, NESTLÉ (COUNTRY) CORNFLAKES®, NESTLÉ FITNESS®, CHEERIOS® , NESTLÉ PURE LIFE®, KIT KAT® and QUALITY STREET®.

Media Contacts:
Rendala Majdalani
Headline Public Relations
Tel: 9714 - 2289655
Fax: 9714 - 2282125
Email: rendala@headlinepr.com

© Press Release 2011