OREANDA-NEWS. February 21, 2013. Norilsk “Sowing Campaign” ecological project brought to life by Polar Division of MMC Norilsk Nickel and Northern City TV Company was awarded Silver Archer prize in the 2012 Best Russian media and charity project nomination, reported the press-centre of World Bank.    

16th ceremony of Silver Archer media award was held in Moscow on February 15, 2013. The Jury studied more than 80 projects that won the right to be publicly presented in the finals, hence the winners were qualified. 

"Quantitavely and mainly qualitatively, social projects are more important than business programs. And people who bring them to life deserve our admiration. Their effort makes us laugh and sometimes cry since it is a very specific effort", - observed Igor Tsikunov, editor in chief of Our Psychology magazine, member of the Expert Council of the award.

“Sowing Campaign” in Norilsk oriented on perennial herbs cultivation impressed the Jury by its scale and originality as well as served a brilliant example of human participation in the beautification of the native city, taking into account severe transpolar conditions.

Scientists of Extreme North Agriculture Institute, younger generation of Nature enthusiasts and Municipality contributed notably to the project implementation. 

For the past three years, four Northern City media company projects have come to the finals of the National contest, which is a unique case in its history.

“Silver Archer is a sole and most important Russian award that appraises accomplished project initiatives and gives a high expert esteem which is very important at the nation-wide level. The nomination of our “Sowing Campaign” ecological project is the evidence of our stable and professional effort, which is important not only for the city of Norilsk but for the whole country” – summed up the ceremony Natalia Fedyanina responsible for the Northern City socio-cultural projects.

Silver Archer national award was instituted in 1997 by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Russian Federation, Journalists Union and Russian Public Relations Association comprehending a system of regional contests and including Silver Archer South, Silver Archer Siberia, Silver Archer Far East, Silver Archer Volga Riverside, Silver Archer Samara and Silver Archer the Urals. Since 2012, Silver Archer USA contest awards its winners.