New country level Corporate Social Responsibility performance measurement tool developed
Unique in Europe, country level Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance measurement tool has been recently developed in the framework of the regional project “Enhancing Transparency and Credibility of CSR Practices through Establishment of CSR Performance Assessment and Monitoring Systems in New EU Member States”, funded by the European Commission and UNDP.
A system to measure CSR excellence to be developed for 5 EU member states
The United Nations Development Programme will assist new European Union member states take better advantage of the private sector, thanks to a socially responsible business initiative. Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Slovak Republic will participate in the programme, which aims to measure and assess socially responsible businesses (also known as Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR). In the selected new EU member states, the project will help establish more socially responsible businesses, and help the countries make strides toward the business environment in existing EU countries.
Macedonian Government approved National CSR agenda for 2008-2012
More information in documents attached.
On 7 August, 2008, Lithuania discussed its draft National CSR Programme
Regional conference “Public policies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Eastern and Central Europe” on 9-10 September 2008, Vilnius, Lithuania
On 9-10 September 2008 more than 13 countries from Central and Eastern Europe gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania and discussed the development of public policies on (CSR) in a conference organized under the framework of UNDP regional CSR project “Accelerating CSR practices in the new EU member states and candidate countries as a vehicle for harmonization, competitiveness, and social cohesion in the EU”, which was funded by EC. The Conference was co-organized with the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
Members of CSR peer groups were on a study visit to Berlin, Germany
On 12-14 March, 2008 15 members of CSR peer groups from Project countries were on a study visit to Berlin, Germany. The purpose of the study visit was tailored to the goal of CSR peer groups, which was to create national CSR agendas in their countries. Consequently, the aim of study visit to Germany was to equip members of peer groups with ideas, knowledge and tools to carry out this assignment. Participants were coming from Project countries to learn from their peers in Germany on CSR implementation experience, challenges and opportunities. Regional CSR delegation to Germany consisted of 15 representatives from business sector, Government and civil society. German Global Compact Network was the local partner in organizing the study visit.
Members of CSR peer groups were on a study visit to Madrid, Spain
On 25-27 February, 2008 16 members of CSR peer groups from Project countries were on a study visit to Madrid, Spain. The purpose of the study visit was tailored to the goal of CSR peer groups, which was to create national CSR agendas in their countries. Consequently, the aim of study visit to Spain was to equip members of peer groups with ideas, knowledge and tools to carry out this assignment. Participants were coming from Project countries to learn from their peers in Spain on CSR implementation experience, challenges and opportunities. Regional CSR delegation to Spain consisted of 16 representatives from business sector, Government and civil society. Spanish Global Compact Network was the local partner in organizing the study visit.
Members of CSR peer groups were on a study visit to London, UK
On 27-29 January 2008 14 members of CSR peer groups from Project countries were on a study visit to London, UK. The purpose of the study visit was tailored to the goal of CSR peer groups, which was to create national CSR agendas in their countries. Consequently, the aim of study visit to UK was to equip members of peer groups with ideas, knowledge and tools to carry out this assignment. Participants were coming from Project countries to learn from their peers in UK on CSR implementation experience, challenges and opportunities. Regional CSR delegation to UK consisted of 14 representatives from business sector, Government and civil society. UK Global Compact Network was the local partner in organizing the study visit.
29-30 October 2007 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lithuania in cooperation with Association “Investors’ Forum” have organized CSR forums in Kaunas and Klaipėda.
The main aim of the forums was to present the findings of the first baseline study on CSR practices in Lithuania, discuss key trends, main drivers, benefits, opportunities and challenges for companies pursuing CSR, effective Government strategies to promote CSR and the most suitable role for NGOs.
Journalists from Project countries got first-hand experience of socially responsible businesses in UK
22 journalists from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Slovak Republic and Turkey visited UK on 21-23 October 2007. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize journalists with CSR coverage and to provide opportunities to network. During the visit journalists met with UK journalists covering sustainability and business responsibility topics and was exposed to real socially responsible business examples. UK Global Compact Network was the local partner in organizing the visit.