Europe & CIS

EC, UNDP to promote responsible business in new and prospective EU members

The European Commission and UNDP have launched a new initiative to support corporate social responsibility (CSR) in new and prospective EU member countries.

Under the US$1.36 million project, UNDP will work with enterprises and other stakeholders in eight countries – EU members Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Slovak Republic, as well as in candidate countries Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey. The project will assist the integration of social and environmental concerns in business operations and in corporate interaction with government, trade unions, business associations and communities on a voluntary basis.

“The main objective is to accelerate in the new EU region the implementation of CSR practices, which are seen as a vehicle for EU harmonization, social cohesion and improving competitiveness,” said Ms. Lyra Jakuleviciene, regional project leader and head of office for UNDP Lithuania.

The project, which is expected to continue until mid-2008, will comprehensively map out CSR activities and actors in the eight countries; identify capacity gaps and areas where support to both business and governments is needed; facilitate exchange of experience and good practices; raise awareness; and support national stakeholders through national and local-level capacity building initiatives.

The project will address both local and foreign enterprises in the eight countries, and will be implemented by UNDP offices in-country, in cooperation with national and regional partners.  Business networks in Spain, the UK and Germany will contribute through exchange of experience and good CSR practices.

UNDP will also engage business and professional associations, national and local governments, trade unions, academia, non-governmental organizations and media to promote multi-stakeholder dialogues on CSR.

A report containing a baseline study of CSR activities to date in the region as well as examples of good practices, tools and recommendations will be presented at a regional conference planned for mid-2007.
 

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