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Future outlook and Sustainability
program
Corporate citizenship initiatives
RBI will also continue to make a contribution to improving the living conditions of as many people as possible
by supporting various projects and initiatives. Numerous projects at head office and the network banks as well
as the H. Stepic CEE Charity and the Tatra Banka Foundation, will be continued with the long-term cooperation
partners in 2019.
The topic of digitization is becoming an increasing factor in everyday life. The possibilities of making a difference
in society range from impact-oriented investment and online volunteering at the touch of a button to the use of
online donation platforms. In this context, RBI is confronted with the topic of corporate digital responsibility and
the expansion of traditional CSR approaches to encompass the digital aspect.
The first step was taken in December 2018 with a digital alliance between Post, RBI AG, and the Austrian Federal
Ministry of Digital Affairs to create the new platform “fit4internet” in Austria with a view to improving digital skills
in society. The new fundamental of business and society is knowing how to successfully use the new technologies.
The association “fit4internet” has begun by offering training for senior citizens throughout Austria. The “Digital
Innovation Hubs” initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs are intended to strengthen expertise
among small and medium-sized enterprises in Austria and promote digital innovation with a particular focus on
future topics such as artificial intelligence, security, blockchain, and 3D printing. Nationwide training courses are
planned for 2019.
In cooperation with the network banks, the focus in 2019 will be on support funding in the EU and CEE, including
participation in the EUROFI conferences and the European Forum Alpbach.
Raiffeisen Nachhaltigkeits-Initiative (Raiffeisen Sustainability
Initiative)
The main area of focus in the past two years was the “Climate Policy and Climate Strategy” for the Raiffeisen
Sustainability Initiative (RNI) member organizations. The most important elements of this strategy are the climate
goals for 2030 and 2050. They should serve the RNI member organizations as a framework for orientation and
action for their respective climate-relevant business activities. In June 2019, a full-day meeting of the working
group will be held to intensify work on the additional steps needed to implement the goals.
Additional priority projects for 2019 include cooperative work for the 2019 “Good Food Festival” and cooperation
with VÖNIX – the Austrian sustainability index. Another priority project is the Sustainability Weeks, which are
carried out in cooperation with the SV Group. These take place at the Raiffeisen employee restaurants in Vienna.
In addition, the vehicle fleets of the member organizations will again be analyzed and assessed in terms of their
contribution to the environmental targets. An important specific cooperative project is the long-term partnership
“Raiffeisen Sustainability Award”. This will also be continued and supported in 2019 in conjunction with “Jugend
Innovativ” (Innovative Youth).
RNI will continue to engage more closely with important topics within the social aspects of sustainability, such as
diversity and corporate volunteering. Diversity management means viewing diversity within the company as an
opportunity and harnessing it to achieve company success. Presentations by experts and a best practice exchange
are planned. The goals are to raise awareness of this important topic, to transport the business case diversity and
to discuss measures, especially in the core business.
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2018