International Cooperation in the Spotlight: EU|BIC Sezana and EBN Shine at the 12th Constantinus International Award 2023

PRESS RELEASE

This year’s Constantinus International Award featured 25 pioneering projects from the fields of management consulting and IT from all over the world. One Gold and one Silver medal goes to Slovenia; One Silver medal goes to Ukraine. 

Amman/Vienna, October 12th, 2023 – The 12th Constantinus International Award took place in the Jordanian capital of Amman on October 12th. The award brought exceptional accomplishments in pioneering projects from the fields of management consulting and IT to the forefront, all developed in a world shaped by global challenges. This prestigious and internationally recognized award is organized annually by the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) with the primary objective of showcasing groundbreaking consulting initiatives. This year, 25 exemplary projects, originating from eleven countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, and Austria, were submitted for consideration. Alfred Harl, the Chairman of Constantinus International Award, underscores the significance of this international award, stating, “It vividly illustrates how robust collaboration between consulting firms and clients across borders can yield remarkable results.” 

Robert Bodenstein, Chair of ICMCI, believes ICMCI’s role is clear as “ICMCI wants to demonstrate, assure, and promote quality in management consulting services, and the Constantinus International Award is our platform to do so, as it illustrates the perfect partnership between provider and receiver of this service.”

And he continues to state that “Naturally, the quality of the consulting sector relies heavily on the cooperation between client and consultant to unleash creativity and innovation. This is why ICMCI has initiated the Constantinus International Award in order to give a prominent stage to all the excellent accomplishments of our community.”

Robert Bodenstein, Chair of ICMCI

Gold and Silver for Slovenia, Silver for Ukraine 

At this year’s Constantinus International Award, two projects from Slovenia and one from Ukraine secured their spots on the podium. The coveted Gold award was bestowed upon a project led by the Slovenian firm Inkubator d.oo. Sezana, executed for EBN (European Business and Innovation Centre Network). This groundbreaking startup initiative involved establishing a trade school catering to individuals with hearing impairments, representing a significant stride in inclusivity and accessibility.

Inkubator Sežana is a member of the European Business and Innovation Centres Network (EBN)¹ and carried out the project under their EU action Better Incubation². This programme focuses on promoting social innovations and inclusive entrepreneurship, and in our incubator, we wanted to develop new opportunities specifically for individuals with hearing loss,”

said Dorijan Maršič, Director of the incubator.

The programme, in which 10 participants took part, was conducted in collaboration with the Srečko Kosovel Higher Vocational School and the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia and represents a unique approach to integrating people with hearing loss in Slovenia and the EU.”

Project manager, Maja Cergol Lipnik, M.A.

Another commendable project from Slovenia received the first Silver medal of 2023. This recognition was granted to QUANTUM Consulting, a company that excelled with its project for the cement factory Salonit Anhovo d.d., aimed at optimizing maintenance processes and further enhancing operational efficiency. The second Silver medal of 2023 was awarded to CMC-Ukraine, hailing from Ukraine, for their exceptional project executed for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. This project was instrumental in transforming emergency consulting services, embracing an “Uberization” approach, even in times of conflict.
 

All Winners for 2023:

GOLD:
Participant:    Inkubator d.o.o. Sezana
Client:    European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN)
Country:    Slovenia
Project:    Start-Up program: Entrepreneurial School for People with Hearing Loss

SILVER:
Participant:    CMC-Ukraine
Client:    Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Country:    Ukraine
Project:    CMC4Ukraine. Uberization of emergency consulting services during the ongoing war 

SILVER:
Participant:    QUANTUM Consulting
Client:    Salonit Anhovo d.d
Country:    Slovenia
Project:    Maintenance progress upgrade in Salonit Anhovo d.d.