The School of Economics and Management of the University of Porto (FEP) and the Crédito Agrícola Group (GCA) have recently formalised a strategic impact partnership, pledging to enhance sustainability skills among current and future managers, as well as to promote initiatives fostering inclusion, the adoption of responsible management practices, and the creation of environmentally and socially impactful entrepreneurial projects.
This academic year, the GCA has become one of FEP’s key partners. Under the motto “We give a future to your impact”, the two entities have launched the 1st Edition of the Crédito Agrícola & FEP Generation Impact Award, which will grant €4,000 to the winner. Targeted at FEP students across all academic cycles (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral), the award seeks to recognise and catalyse environmental and social sustainability initiatives developed by students.
Through this award, the entities aim to distinguish academic or non-academic projects, whether already initiated or under development, in three distinct areas: Scientific Research in Sustainability, including dissertations, theses, or scientific articles exploring sustainable finance, responsible management, or sustainable development; Purpose-Driven Initiative Management, focusing on projects with a positive social and environmental impact within academia or the surrounding communities; and Impact Entrepreneurship, encompassing sustainable and financially viable business models centred on environmental and social impact.
“The signing of this cooperation protocol with Crédito Agrícola represents a significant step towards fulfilling FEP’s mission to strengthen ties between the academic world and the business sector. This partnership will provide our students with unique opportunities for development and learning, particularly through the CA & FEP Generation Impact Award, which will highlight projects addressing various dimensions of sustainability. We are confident that this collaboration will yield mutual benefits, enhancing academic excellence and fostering a positive societal impact,” stated FEP’s Dean, Óscar Afonso.
On his part, Luís Seabra, Administrator of the Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo, believes that “for Crédito Agrícola, an institution guided by cooperative values and playing a unique role in the sustainable development of local communities, with a strong awareness of the critical importance of education and qualifications in the current and future Portuguese business landscape, it is highly important to build bridges with renowned institutions of higher education in Portugal, offering quality teaching with proven rigour, such as FEP. This partnership, particularly through the announced Prize, will serve as a significant incentive for the future leaders of the Portuguese economy, encouraging them to view the most pressing environmental and social challenges as opportunities and key factors for the financial performance of business models.”
Applications will run from 16 December 2024 to 21 March 2025. On the first day, at 3:00 PM, an event to present the partnership and launch the award will take place at FEP, featuring a roundtable with representatives from various organisations committed to sustainability. Additionally, three webinars are scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, featuring regional and national experts. These sessions will discuss the award’s themes and address potential questions. The first webinar will focus on academia’s contribution to a sustainable future, the second on academic community initiatives impacting society, and the third on businesses that positively transform the economy and social well-being.
With over 70 years of history, FEP has been a cornerstone in the education of professionals in economics and management. Meanwhile, Crédito Agrícola, with more than 110 years of operation, reaffirms its role as a driver of sustainable development in local communities. Together, the two institutions aim to empower the next generation of leaders to tackle global challenges and spearhead the social and climate transformation of the Portuguese economy and society.
