Piraeus Bank takes the award for Europe’s best bank for corporate responsibility thanks to its comprehensive Equall programme operating across four strategic pillars: gender equality, child welfare, the new generation, and vulnerable social groups. Since 2022, the initiative has reached more than 33,000 beneficiaries, with over 10,000 in 2024 alone, delivering a social return on investment of €4.41 ($5.15) for every euro invested.
Under gender equality, Piraeus runs five distinct programmes, including Women Founders and Makers, Women Back to Work, and Equall – Equal Opportunities for All Women, which supports survivors of gender-based violence through counselling, skills training, and job placement. The initiative disbursed €6.3 million to women-led businesses through Equall 360°, supporting 344 women, with 36% launching new ventures. Its Women in Agriculture component reached 118 women, with 42% establishing rural enterprises. The bank also launched the Refugee Women Academy with UNHCR, offering vocational training in hospitality for refugee women.
The child welfare pillar includes Recognise – Protect, a national training programme for kindergarten teachers to identify and respond to signs of child neglect and abuse. In 2024, 5,995 teachers completed the training. The bank also partners with Unicef on the SafeKids Alliance to strengthen child protection systems.
For young people, Piraeus offers Project Future, which trained 233 graduates in 2024 with an employability expectancy exceeding 60%. The programme connects participants with more than 2,000 Greek companies, designed to combat youth unemployment and brain drain. Additional initiatives include a free MBA in Sustainability with the University of Piraeus, and Equall STEM Labs, establishing inquiry-based learning centres in remote schools.
It is the first Greek bank to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and is listed in Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index
The bank’s response to the Thessaly floods in 2024 demonstrated its commitment to national resilience. It allocated €12.5 million for infrastructure restoration, benefiting 700,000 residents. This was complemented by the Looking Towards Tomorrow initiative, providing psychosocial support and disaster preparedness training to students in affected areas.
Piraeus also supports people with disabilities through vocational rehabilitation (Brave In), access to culture (Art 4 All), and inclusive banking services such as voice-supported ATMs, Braille cards, and remote cashier services. The Skills 4 All programme offers vocational training in tourism and construction for vulnerable youth, while Equall HOOPS provides basketball training for neurodiverse children.
The bank’s efforts align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Principles for Responsible Banking. It is the first Greek bank to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and is listed in Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index.
Piraeus Bank’s Equall programme represents a strategic, multi-year commitment to social inclusion. Its scale, structure and measurable outcomes across gender, youth, education, and crisis response establish a benchmark for corporate responsibility in Europe.
