How this guide is organized

The guide is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, but here are some hints to help you make most of it:

• Establishing a Global Compact network follows a systematic approach of planning, implementing, evaluating and improving. The guide is organized in seven chapters which reflect the main steps in the process (see top of page frames).
• On the left, you will see a navigation bar for each chapter, including description of objectives, main activities involved, challenges and opportunities, links.
• Case studies, tips and stories are linked to the main bodies of the text and distinguished by a different colour.
• Since its inception the UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre, the main author and coordinator behind this guide, has been committed to a process of continuous improvement and learning. Users are invited to submit their feedback so that the guide can be expanded with new case studies and stories.

Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms:

Global Compact launch (as used in this guide): A high-level event, primarily for the business community but also involving other stakeholders, that aims to introduce the initiative to the general public in a given country.

Global Compact network: Establishing a governance framework for companies with a sufficient level of commitment to ensure the effective, inclusive and accountable governance system of the GC initiative in a country.

UNDP: United Nations Development Office
GC: Global Compact
GCO: Global Compact Office
EU: European Union
EC: European Commission
RBEC: Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS
CO: Country Office

Acknowledgments:

This guide has been prepared by a team led by Karolina Mzyk, Regional Coordinator for the Global Compact in UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre (BRC), and includes:
Jonathan Brooks, Poverty Practice Leader, UNDP BRC; Matilda Dimovska, Programme Manager, UNDP CO Macedonia; Janka Geckova, Research Assistant, UNDP BRC; Lyra Jakuleviciene, Advisor to Resident Representative, UNDP CO Lithuania; Elena Panova, Programme Manager, UNDP CO Bulgaria; Soren Petersen, Senior Advisor, UNDP Nordic Office; Patrik Silborn, Advisor, UNDP BRSP; Casper Sonesson, Advisor, UNDP BRSP; and Susana Weyers, Specialist, Global Compact Office.

The team wishes to acknowledge support received during the preparation process from Flavio Fuertes, Programme Manager, UNDP CO Argentina and Mohamed El-Kalla, Prorgamme Manager, UNDP CO Egypt.