BUSINESSES across Africa are spending considerable amounts of money on their CSR projects every year. Often the real social impact of these efforts is not recognized in a pubic sphere.

The Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards, otherwise known as The SERAS CSR Awards Africa, believes that it is important to share the good work being done for a number of key reasons.

First and foremost, it is important to benchmark and set precedents in CSR on the continent. Best practices need to be shared and programmes that move from social responsibility to social impact need to become the norm.

By showcasing successful CSR initiatives through the SERAS, businesses can contribute towards improving the standards of other similar projects through knowledge sharing and the benchmarking of systems and measurables.

Another important reason for major brands and corporations to enter the Awards and showcase their projects is to ensure that CSR projects remain top of mind for members of the media, business leaders, governments and decision makers.

Every year, the SERAS publishes the CSR Reports, a comprehensive survey of all entered projects. These case studies are shared across Africa with media, governments, civil society organisations, and corporates.

The CSR Reports is a powerful tool for sharing the best and most effective CSR projects in Africa, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others.

The SERAS also provide a credible platform for businesses who also would like to share their CSR projects with wider audiences for marketing or brand recognition purposes. Effective and community driven CSR that results in real change can be a powerful tool for driving brand loyalty and engagement.

In 2017, the SERAS seeks to uncover and reward the brands that have walked their talks in the real sense as we unravel the links between investments/interventions and the actual impacts of these in communities where they do business and the general society at large.

Entries have been coming in from across Africa, ensuring that the 2017 version of the awards is truly pan-African.

Entries include, from West Africa; Lafarge, ExxonMobil, Unilever, Chevron, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Airtel, Dangote and Proctor and Gamble,along with South African companies Netcare and Anglo American.

Based on requests from businesses across Africa, the SERAS have extended the deadline for entries until July 31st.

There are various awards categories open for businesses to enter and the competition is open to large, medium and small scale, not- for- profit organizations, as well as public sector organizations.

Twenty honors will be awarded in line with the sustainable development goals as set by the United Nations.

Further details on how interested organizations can participate can be found on the awards website.

The entry portal, which opened on May 18th, would close on July 31st 2017.