The awards are divided into three categories: the most innovative business initiatives in the fields of corporate social responsibility (CSR), new technologies, and university-related entrepreneurship.

FCC received the award in the new technologies field in recognition of its sustainable waste collection initiative, which uses small electric-hybrid trucks to access difficult-to-reach areas.

The trucks have adequate capacity (4-5 tonnes of carrying space each); reduced width, measuring at most 1.9 metres; excellent manoeuvrability, due to their size and turn radius; and very low levels of noise and fume emissions. Many electric vehicles are already in use in a number of Spanish cities.

The award in the field of CSR went to Fundación Telefónica for its EducaRed-Proniño project, which aims to eradicate child labour in Latin America.

The award for innovation at university level went to Teams, a spin-off project at the University of Seville which helped develop technical aspects of the Airbus 380.

The awards were decided yesterday afternoon in Madrid; the competition included more than 100 candidates. The jury, chaired by Emilio Ontiveros, Founder and Chairman of Analistas Financieros Internacionales, was comprised of Ana Patricia Botín, Chairwoman of Banesto; Javier Monzón, Chairman of Indra; José Núñez, Chairman of Alquimia; Joaquín Estefanía, Head of the UAM/El País School of Journalism; and Jorge Rivera, Editor of Cinco Días.

The awards will be presented on 16 November at Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid.