The Principles for Social Investment Secretariat is calling on SME and multinational Global Compact signatories to showcase social investment best practice and enter the inaugural Social Investment Pioneer Awards in 2012.

Launched at the 2012 Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum, the international Awards program aims to recognize and celebrate business achievements and set a new benchmark for private sector social investment that is purposeful, accountable, respectful and ethical.

The program will connect the top industry practitioners from across the globe and will expose the broader business and general community to the importance of private sector engagement in sustainable community development.

Entries open on July 1, 2012. The application deadline is September 30, 2012. Applications are sought in the following categories: Responsible business; Inclusive business; Shared value; Social enterprise; and Strategic Corporate Philanthropy.