The organisations represent diverse industries from educational bodies and healthcare in the public sector to energy, pharmaceutical, electronics, port and logistics, metals, and automotive industries in the private sector.

2009 Finalists (listed alphabetically):

• Bilim Ilac A.S., Turkey
• Bradstow School, UK
• Colegio Sagrado Corazón Carmelitas, Spain
• EDF DCECL EST, France
• EiTB, Media, Local & regional Governments, Spain
• Fondation François-Elisabeth Hôpital Kirchberg, Luxembourg
• Liverpool John Moore's University, UK
• Luka Koper d.d., Slovenia
• NXP Sound Solutions Austria, Austria
• pom+Consulting AG, Switzerland
• Robert Bosch S.A.S, France
• St. Colmans College, UK
• Umicore Precious Metals Refining, Belgium
• Volkswagen Motor Polska Sp. z o.o., Poland

The award assessment process involves a site visit from an international group of experienced assessors during which role-model organisations are sought and identified. While all applicants are organisations of high calibre, only a small group is awarded the finalist distinction.

EFQM brings together organisations striving for sustainable excellence. EFQM has spent over twenty years sharing what works between its member organisations to help them implement their strategies. The EFQM network comprises a highly diverse set of organisations that represent all business sizes and segments, as well as public institutions - many of which operate across the globe.

The EFQM Forum, 28-29 September in Brussels, includes a celebration dinner to announce the annual winners of the EFQM Excellence Award. The Award, which is granted to Europe-˜s best performing companies and not-for-profit organisations, is Europe-˜s most prestigious honour for organisational excellence.