Social Responsible Entrepreneurship for SMEs CSR IN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

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1 Social Responsible Entrepreneurship for SMEs CSR IN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

2 Corporate Social Responsibility a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. What business can do Opportunities Add value to business Every enterprise, independently of its size and growth, is both a substantial market factor and an inseparable member of the society into which it operates.

3 Stakeholders The employees The customers and the consumers The local community The business partners The public authorities The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) The media The natural environment

4 CSR and Small & Medium Enterprises: Challenges, potential and perspectives Enhances the mutual trust between companies and their customers Improves the quality of products and services Improves the relations with local communities Enhances the levels of satisfaction, royalty and productivity of employees Achieves cost reduction through better use of natural resources Brings commercial benefits i.e. wider customer base Improves and enables the use of special funds and financing Contributes to a more positive image to both the public opinion and the Media Improves the total image of the company.

5 Basic implementation axis

6 European guidelines In March 2005, the European Council underlined in order to encourage investment and provide an attractive setting for business and work, the European Union must complete its internal market and make its regulatory environment more business-friendly, while business must in turn develop its sense of social responsibility. In the Integrated Guidelines for Growth an Jobs ( ), the Council recommended that Member States should encourage enterprises in developing their corporate social responsibility.

7 Governmental policy in Greece The Ministry of Employment and Social Protection is responsible for coordinating the efforts on CSR policy across Greek society. The Greek Government examines its practices in order to incorporate social and environmental matters and implement the principles of CSR. These practices are diffused in laws, programmes, projects, initiatives and national action plans, reinforcing, encouraging and promoting CSR beyond the limit of legal duties. Particular emphasis on the initiatives of the social partners themselves, mainly at the level of enterprises.

8 Governmental policy in Greece A Cooperation Agreement was signed in June 2006 by the Secretariat General for Gender Equality of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization and the Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility. It aims at the promotion of gender equality in enterprises. The Greek Institute of Health and Safety at Work, created with the cooperation of social partners, grants an annual award to enterprises that have promoted health and security at work and improved conditions of work by means of good practice. The Ministry of Employment and Social Protection applies political measures aiming at full employment, improvement in productivity quality and growth in human capital, having in mind the European Employment Strategy principles and the directive lines of the revised Lisbon Strategy.

9 The Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility Business-driven membership non-profit organization. Established in 2000 by a small group of businesses and business organizations, today enlists more than 100 members. Mission is to promote the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility to both the business community and the social environment, with the overall objective being a balance between profitability and sustainable development. Mobilize all stakeholders towards the achievement of a balance between profit making and sustainable development

10 Objectives Continuous updating and dissemination of information on the concept of CSR Networking and collaboration with enterprises, unions and other organizations at all levels for the exchange and dissemination of information Raising the awareness of the business community and the general public on enterprise social activities and contributions at the local, national and international level Mobilization and development of collaborations for the promotion of joint social projects and the combating of social problems Transfer, adaptation and dissemination of best practice in the area of social cohesion and CSR Promotion of all enterprise activities conducted for the accomplishment of Network objectives

11 Priorities The registering of projects and best practice developed by Greek enterprises in the area of CSR Collection and archiving of new data regarding CSR Raising awareness and supporting enterprises, specially the SME's in their effort to develop a CSR philosophy Support and dissemination of the European Alliance for CSR Attraction and enrolment of new members to the Network The development of collaborations with public organizations

12 Activities Elaboration of a quantitative study on CSR in Greece and a parallel research of public opinion on the issue Active participation in EU programmes (such as Equal Programmes) Recording of CSR programmes implemented in Greece and publication of a special booklet about these programmes Dissemination of best practice implemented in Europe in some of the CSR areas Active collaboration with Universities, Business, Governmental and other institutions Creation of a newsletter for better communication between the members of the Network and the wider community

13 The HERMES Programme Designed and implemented by the Hellenic Network for CSR, in the framework of the European campaign for promoting CSR among SMEs, Aiming at supporting the Greek SMEs in adopting and effectively implementing CSR practices as a medium of strengthening their long term competitiveness. The essential axis of implementing the program and its goals are: Spreading of knowledge and expertise as well as of good practices developed by SMEs Mobilizing SMEs in adopting responsible business practices, adapted to their specific conditions and priorities Creating proper structures to support the SMEs on this area Activities included in the Hermes program are: Field survey among SMEs on CSR Creation of basic training material Publication of an informative brochure Publication of good practices catalogues Organization of conferences at national and regional level Creation of a portal Publication of guidelines for SMEs.

14 UN Global Compact Network Hellas Launched in 2008 in Greece The Global Compact is a framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anticorruption. Mainstream the ten principles in business activities around the world Catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

15 NIREUS To develop with respect to society, the environment and investors Human Resources (workplace safety, bloodbank, product quality ISO9001+ HACCP, training) Environmental protection (recycling projects, effluent discharge, natural resources protection) Community Involvement (donations to athletic organizations, grands to non-for-profit cultural bodies and educational organizations, sponsorship of charitable events).

16 Thank you for your attention EOMMEX S.A. International Co-operations Dir. Contact person Veni Kleonakou International Relations Expert Tel: