Annual report
SPONSORSHIPS
Eusko Entziklopedia
Based on the online digitalized Auñamedi database, the aim of this project which is promoted by Eusko Ikaskuntza and sponsored by the Basque Government and the Basque Savings Banks is to combine the Federation's own databases (list of titles, Euskonews magazine, multimedia gallery, etc.) with other databases (Aranzadi, Eresbil, etc.) in order to increase the content of digitalized resources on Basque culture.
During 2009, digitalization was complete and work continued on translating the content into various different languages. More than 11.5 million new characters have been added to the already existing 165 million characters in the 150,000 entries.
This multi-lingual, comprehensive project covers a wide range of areas of knowledge and is open to educational and scientific communities and individuals alike.
Euskal Herria Youth Orchestra
Since it was set up in 1996, the Basque Youth Orchestra (EGO) has been supported and sponsored by the Basque Savings Banks and serves as an orchestral training ground for young Basque musicians.
Over the years, the orchestra has managed to create a solid structure to allow young instrumentalists to develop artistically and to act as an access bridge to the professional world.
Since it was set up, more than 600 individuals have been involved. In 2009, more young people joined following the auditions which are held each Spring and attended by over 200 hopefuls.
One of the main new events last summer was the orchestra's involvement in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Scotland, which was attended by over 30,000 young musicians and which serves as an introduction to the world of the arts and a launchpad for the international sphere.
During the winter, the orchestra worked on a repertoire of film soundtracks with pieces by J. Williams and Howard Shore, holding concerts at the Principal Theatre in Vitoria, Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao and Kurssal Exhibition Centre in Donostia.
Ekopass Association
For the third consecutive year and under the Ekopass Association adhesion agreement to combat climate change, the Basque Savings Banks have measured CO2 emissions generated as a result of daily transport, electricity consumption and other consumables. This commitment is in line with their corporate social responsibility which has been exercised since they were established.
Eusko-Ganberak Corporate Outlook
For the tenth consecutive year, the Basque Savings Banks collaborated with the Basque Chambers of Commerce-Eusko Ganberak on the annual survey which is conducted on a regional level in the European Union.
More than 69,000 companies took part in this sample from 95 regions in 26 countries, and Basque was represented by over a thousand companies. This work enables Basque companies to discover where they are placed in relation to various corporate variables in the European Union.
The report also includes a comparative analysis of the Basque Country and various other regions which because of their excellent competitive position constitute a good point of reference for an increasingly globalized economy.
