19th November 2024, Brussels
JA Spain has been honored with the 2024 TJ Bata Quality Award, distinguishing itself among 23 JA Model Organizations for its exceptional leadership, innovation, and strategic impact.
The award was presented today at the Gala dinner following JA Europe Annual General Assembly 2024 in Brussels, recognizing JA Spain as the top-performing JA Model Organization of the year. With an emphasis on advancing JA’s mission, JA Spain excelled through innovative programming and new strategic initiatives that strengthen JA’s presence and effectiveness.
The TJ Bata Quality Award has been awarded annually since 2009 to a JA Member Organisation that demonstrates sustained excellence and substantial contributions toward JA Europe’s long-term goals. This year, JA Spain achieved the highest scores across key performance indicators (KPIs), particularly excelling in areas such as growth in student reach, volunteer engagement, and the development of innovative programs and initiatives.
The award jury included the following members: representing the Bata Shoe Foundation Elvira Eilert Pignal, Trustee of Bata Shoe Foundation ; Laurence Morvan, Chair of JA Europe & Chief of Staff to Europe Middle East CEO of Accenture; Henk Huismans, Head of Public and Government Affairs of NN Group; Salvatore Nigro, CEO JA Europe and Kristina Velkovska, Chief Financial Officer JA Europe.
Elvira Eilert Pignal, Trustee of Bata Shoe Foundation, said: “On behalf of the Bata Shoe Foundation, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Spanish Junior Achievement team for being awarded this year’s TJ Bata Quality Award. Your exceptional work programme not only empowers young people and students with vital entrepreneurial and innovation skills but also embodies the values of Thomas J Bata. Through teamwork and a commitment to excellence, you demonstrate how a well-run organization can uplift and inspire. We commend you for your outstanding dedication and the positive impact you are creating for the next generation.”
In addition to JA Spain, 22 other JA Europe member organizations received the Model Organization Award, recognising their exceptional leadership among the JA network in Europe during the past year.
Salvatore Nigro, CEO JA Europe said: ”Celebrating the Best in Class JA Members is key to inspiring our entire network on our growth ambition to reach 20 million young Europeans per year in 2050. We are grateful to these JA Members who have embraced the full spectrum of JA’s strategic areas and have shown innovation in designing and implementing impactful learning experiences for youth. We also congratulate JA Spain for winning the TJ Bata Quality Award 2024, as we have seen the organisation on a continuous path of growth and excellence for many years in a row.”
Join us in celebrating the 2024 JA Model Organisations:
- Austria – Junior Achievement Austria (JA Austria)
- Belgium – Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemingen (VLAJO)
- Bulgaria – Junior Achievement Bulgaria (JA Bulgaria)
- Cyprus – Junior Achievement Cyprus (JA Cyprus)
- Czech Republic – JA Czech
- Estonia – Junior Achievement Eesti (JA Eesti)
- Finland – Nuorten Yrittäjyys ja Talous NYT (JA Finland)
- Georgia – Junior Achievement Georgia / ჯუნიორ ეჩივმენტი საქართველო (JA Georgia)
- Isle of Man – Junior Achievement Isle of Man (JA Isle of Man)
- Italy – Junior Achievement Italy (JA Italia)
- Latvia – Junior Achievement Latvia (JA Latvia)
- Lithuania – Lietuvos Junior Achievement (JA Lithuania)
- Malta – JA Malta Foundation (JA Malta)
- Norway – Ungt Entreprenørskap (UE Norge)
- Poland – Fundacja Młodzieżowej Przedsiębiorczości (JA Poland)
- Portugal – Junior Achievement Portugal (JA Portugal)
- Romania – Junior Achievement Romania (JA Romania)
- Slovenia – Junior Achievement Slovenija (JA Slovenia)
- Spain – Fundación Junior Achievement España (JA Spain)
- Sweden – Ung Företagsamhet (UF Sverige)
- Türkiye – Genç Basari Eğitim Vakfı (JA Türkiye)
- Ukraine – Junior Achievement Ukraine (JA Ukraine)
- United Kingdom – Young Enterprise UK
About Bata Shoe Foundation
The Bata Shoe Foundation is a philanthropic organization based in Switzerland, dedicated to fostering education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development globally. As a shareholder in the Bata Shoe Organization, founded in 1894, the Foundation upholds the values and legacy of its founders by supporting initiatives that empower communities and contribute to social and economic progress. Through strategic partnerships and targeted grants, the Bata Shoe Foundation promotes skills development, innovation, and resilience, particularly among youth and underserved populations, to create lasting positive impact worldwide
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network in over 40 countries provided 6 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats with the support of nearly 110,000 teachers and almost 90,000 business volunteers. In 2024, JA Worldwide was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the third nomination in three years.
Press and media contact at JA Europe:
Minna Melleri, Chief of Advocacy and Growth, minna@jaeurope.org
