Peer Reviews and new Compendium on CSR

1. Peer Reviews and new Compendium on CSR Presentation to HLG meeting 20 December 2013, Brussels

2. This Presentation • The Peer Reviews: progress to date • Current status of NAPs • Factors influencing Member State priorities on CSR • Horizontal ‘content’ priorities • Vertical ‘content’ priorities • Some common ‘process’ themes • Draft structure of Compendium • Questions

3. The Peer Reviews: Progress to date

4. Member State priorities on CSR: Current status of NAPs Countries with current CSR NAPs: BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, FI, FR, IT, LT, NL, PL, SE, UK Absence of NAP does not mean absence of CSR policies Countries with CSR NAPs close to finalisation: AT, CZ, ES IE, HU MT Countries with CSR NAPs under development: EL, HR, LV, RO, SI, SK

5. Member State priorities on CSR: NAPs on Business and Human Rights Countries with plans for separate NAPs on B&HR: BE, DE, ES, FI, SE, (PT) Countries who will include B&HR into CSR NAP: CZ, MT No information for other countries; reference in current NAPs from CY, FI, FR, LT, NL, SE

6. Factors influencing Member State priorities on CSR National priority setting is influenced by a number of factors: • Definition of CSR • Existing policy and regulatory framework • Level of awareness of CSR • Structure of policy making (central v. regional and local responsibilities) • Level of institutionalisation of stakeholder engagement • Economic/sectoral structure (e.g. predominance of SMEs or micro-companies; prevalence of stated owned companies; exposure to international trade etc.) • Economic development/impact of the crisis

7. Horizontal ‘content’ priorities in most Member States (1) • Awareness raising aimed at consumers and businesses – through websites, campaigns and awards • Support for SMEs to develop CSR approaches – through guidance, project funding, advisory services • Alignment with international standards - e.g. through national interpretation and guidance on Global Standards • Sustainable public procurement – through policies, guidance and good practice learning

8. Horizontal ‘content’ priorities in most Member States (2) • Initiatives on reporting and disclosure – legislative or voluntary • Responsible supply chain management (in light of recent events, but mainly in countries with significant exposure to globalisation) – usually in line with international standards • CSR in education and training – development of curricula, particularly for managers • CSR actions to help tackle climate change • CSR in the field of social policy – e.g. actions to support the integration of disadvantaged groups such as young people

9. National priority setting: some examples Germany: Awareness raising and capacity building particularly in SMEs; CSR award and other dissemination activities; CSR in education, training and science; CSR in international/development policy context; CSR in meeting broader societal challenges; CSR friendly environment Bulgaria: Awareness raising; capacity building; institutional co-ordination; reporting; environmental initiatives Italy: Focus on national and regional level Increasing culture of CSR among citizens, businesses and wider community; supporting enterprises in adopting CSR principles and enhancing market reward for CSR; transparency and reporting; promoting CSR through international instruments

10. Vertical ‘content’ priorities of a more limited number of Member States • Sectoral approaches to CSR (e.g. mining) and sectoral risk analysis • Socially responsible investment • Financial obligation and anti-corruption measures

11. Common ‘process’ themes: Engaging with NGOs and other stakeholders • Capacity building and involvement of NGOs • Important role of NGOs in verification and monitoring • How to respect and ensure independence of NGOs while engaging them in these processes? • How to balance contact with institutionalised stakeholders with contact with grassroots • Organisation of ongoing engagement

12. Common ‘process’ themes: Balance between government driven and business owned CSR approaches • Many countries emphasise importance of CSR being business owned • Role of government in fostering CSR development (though policy, guidance or regulation) • Making the business case for CSR to be at the heart of competitiveness policy (rather than ‘charity’ or ‘add on’) – in some countries CSR portfolio moved from Employment to Competitiveness/Business Departments • Harnessing ‘business to business support’

13. Common ‘process’ themes: Broader awareness raising • Raising awareness of the importance and added value of CSR (particularly in countries where CSR priorities are emerging more recently) • ‘Making the business case’ • ‘Raising demand’ for CSR among customers

14. Draft structure of Compendium • Introduction • Developments in CSR policy in the EU • National CSR priorities • Alignment with Global CSR Approaches • Human Rights and Responsible Supply Chain Management • Sustainable Public Procurement • Socially Responsible Investment • Financial Obligation and Anti-corruption • CSR Reporting and Disclosure • CSR in SMEs • CSR approaches to Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability • Social Policies • CSR in Education and Training • Consumer Awareness and Responsible Business Promotion • Annex with country by country overview of key initiatives under these headings

15. Questions?

16. Tina.weber@ghkint.com