Honorary Award to the Non-Profit Organization for its Educational Programs

✴️ 16th Customer Service National Awards Ceremony

💠 Hellenic Institute of Customer Service (HICS)

At a distinguished ceremony held at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis), the work of the non-profit organization was recognized, with its Founder and President, Mr. Vangelis Avgoulas, receiving a special award for the organization’s corporate training programs focused on customer service for disabled persons.

Under the theme “Fly Me to the Moon”, emphasizing that “progress does not happen by chance but is the result of effort,” as stated by the President of HICS, Ms. Elina Nikaki, the 16th Customer Service National Awards (CS Awards) ceremony took place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Athens Concert Hall, hosted by singer Sakis Rouvas.

The Chief Judge of the awards committee was Mr. Giorgos Siomkos, Professor of Marketing and Head of the Department of Business Administration at the Athens University of Economics and Business.

An Honorary Award was presented to the non-profit organization, founded in 2018 with the vision of eliminating the underrepresentation of disabled persons in the public sphere.

This year’s honored organization stands out for addressing equality and inclusion not as an obligation, but as a deeply personal and collective responsibility. Rather than merely attempting to “adapt” the world, it has sought to reshape it—placing at the center of its work individuals who for years remained invisible in public discourse, offering them voice, space, dignity, and visibility.

“The unanimous decision of the HICS Board of Directors to grant us this honorary award gives us strength and, at the same time, fills us with a sense of responsibility to continue evolving qualitatively in the next stages of our work,” noted Mr. Avgoulas.

During the ceremony, he also engaged in a light-hearted live interaction on stage with both the host, Sakis Rouvas, and the President of HICS.

The educational programs are tailored to the needs of each new corporate partner and specialize in visual, mobility, and hearing disabilities. They are based on international best practices, continuously updated, and primarily coordinated by disabled persons who are experts in their respective scientific fields.

✌️ The winners are as follows (CS Excellence Awards listed first, followed by CS Distinction Awards):

1. Best Customer Service Training: Kotsovolos, Imperial Brands Hellas, Stoiximan

2. Innovation in Customer Experience: Concentrix, Alpha Bank, Cosmote

3. Leveraging the Voice of the Customer: Cosmote eValue, ICAP Outsourcing Solutions, Volton

4. Best Omnichannel Customer Service Strategy: Heron, Alpha Bank, Stoiximan

5. Customer Service Team of the Year: Novibet, Cosmote eValue, eFood

6. Customer Service Organization of the Year: Heron, Ayvens, Cosmote

7. Contact Center of the Year: TTEC, Cosmote eValue, Ayvens

8. Best Use of Technology in User Experience: Drunky Goat, Novibet, Pobuca–Metro

9. Best Partnership with an External Service Provider:
   ICAP Outsourcing Solutions–ICAP CRIF, CQS–Worldline/Cardlink, Protergia–Cosmote eValue

10. Best Mobile App Application in User Experience: Up Hellas, Olympia Odos, Global Link

11. Best Digital Customer Experience: Novibet, Enerwave, Pobuca–Elviomex

12. Best Use of Artificial Intelligence in Customer Experience:
    Cosmote, ICAP Outsourcing Solutions, Nea Odos / Kentriki Odos

13. Best Organization for ESG Factors & Practices in Customer Service:
    TTEC, Cosmote eValue, Global Link

🏅 The awards presented to the winners were once again designed by sculptor Michaela Theodorakakou.

For more information about the event and the institution, please visit www.csawards.gr.

🤌 Sponsors and Supporters of the Event:

Title Sponsor: COSMOTE TELEKOM & COSMOTE E-VALUE

Category Sponsors: AYVENS, CREDIABANK, ENERWAVE, EUROBANK, EUROLIFE FFH, PROTERGIA, VOLTON

Media Sponsors: BUSINESS NEWS, BUSINESS TODAY, DAILY FAX, EPICHEIRO, GLOBAL SUSTAIN, HR PROFESSIONAL, MARKETING WEEK, WORKFORCE

Supporters: BARPHONE, CONFERIENCE, EFOOD, IMPERIAL BRANDS HELLAS, NEA ODOS & KENTRIKI ODOS, NOVIBET, OTE ACADEMY, VODAFONE

Event Sponsor: MELLON GROUP OF COMPANIES

Scientific Support:
MSc Program in Services Management, Athens University of Economics and Business

Under the Auspices of:
The Ministry of Digital Governance, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Association of Innovative Applications Companies of Greece (SEKEE), and the Hellenic Institute of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development (IEA).