The European Master in Business Studies (EMBS) has bestowed upon the European Central Bank (ECB) the prestigious "Best Internship" Award. The accolade was accepted on behalf of ECB by Luca Piliego, a student, at the ceremony held in Kassel.

The European Master in Business Studies (EMBS) is a two-year, full-time Master's program in Management with a specialization in International Marketing, collaboratively run by the University of Kassel, the University of Savoie Mont Blanc (France), the University of Trento (Italy), and the University of León (Spain). Recognized for its multicultural learning environment and high-quality business curriculum, EMBS enhances students' creative thinking and decision-making skills, equipping them for careers in the global market.

The "Best Internship" Award is based on criteria that assess the added value of the internship for students and the companies. The decisive factors are the overall experience, the social, financial or environmental impact of the company and the individual contribution of the intern. Compliance with EMBS values such as diversity and internationality is also taken into account.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central institution of the Eurosystem and is responsible for monetary policy in the eurozone. It was founded in 1998 and is based in Frankfurt am Main. Its main task is to ensure price stability, i.e. to keep inflation at a stable level. To this end, it controls the money supply and sets key interest rates. The ECB's other tasks include monitoring financial stability, regulating banks and managing the eurozone's currency reserves. It also promotes the smooth functioning of payment systems.

Luca Piliego contributed to several initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive workplace during his internship at the ECB. His work primarily focused on supporting HR managers and business partners through data analyses, recruitment campaigns and initiatives to improve internal workforce diversity.

This provided a practical insight into HR work in an international environment, strengthening his analytical and communication skills while deepening his understanding of recruitment, diversity and workforce planning in a multicultural environment. These experiences, made possible by EMBS' commitment to high-quality internships, not only enriched Lucas' academic career, but also provided him with valuable skills and perspectives that are crucial for his future career.

Last year, the award went to the NGO Help For Optimism (H4O) and was accepted by Stella Moliterni. H40 is active in Madagascar and is committed to sustainable development through water and sanitation projects, health and social initiatives.