RESEARCH by CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) has recently been published evaluating corporate community investment (CCI) in the UK.

The study found that companies are bringing a new focus to their community activities to reflect core business.

For example, Sainsbury's focus on education aims to increase understanding of food, BT concentrates on communication activities with young people, while Severn Trent's goal is to increase environmental awareness. To download the report go to www.cafonline.org/company.

I would also like to bring to your attention details of CAF's Companies and Communities Awards 2006, held earlier last month, which aim to recognise and reward companies that are shaping the future of CCI.

The prestigious innovation award was presented to ESS Support Services Worldwide for its pioneering rehabilitation of offenders project.

Deutsche Bank and npower were joint winners of the Effective Giving Award, which recognises companies that use their resources effectively to develop and implement a community investment programme that delivers tangible results.

Both the research and the high quality of award entries CAF received this year, signal how much CCI has advanced in recent years. We are delighted to announce the winners and hope that other companies can both learn and be inspired by these examples of excellence.

RUSSELL PRIOR, executive director, Charities Aid Foundation