What is the Alliance?

In March 2006, the European Commission published a new communication on CSR, stressing the potential of corporate social responsibility to contribute to the European Strategy for Growth and Jobs and announcing backing for a European Alliance for CSR.

The Alliance marks a new political approach on CSR, based on a double commitment. On the one hand, the European Commission will strengthen a business friendly environment. On the other hand, and through a voluntary approach, enterprises will further focus their efforts to innovate their CSR strategies and initiatives, in cooperation and dialogue with their stakeholders.

The Alliance serves as a political umbrella for mobilising the resources of large and small European companies and their stakeholders in and around ten priority areas.

Background

The European Union defines corporate social responsibility as "a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with stakeholders on a voluntary basis".

The European Union acknowledges that global governance, trade, investment, sustainable development are key issues in today's CSR debate at a global dimension.

The renewed EU Strategy on CSR of the European Union was launched in 2006, and entails in addition to the European Alliance for CSR among others these two important initiatives:

• Multistakeholder Forum and initiatives
• Integration of corporate social responsibility within European policy

In the text of the Alliance, the European Commission and the companies who were included in the prepatory phase, agreed that the communication and co-ordination of Alliance activities will be done through existing business organisations. These organisations are currently: CSR Europe, Business Europe, UEAPME.

For a full list of CSR milestones at the European level, please visit the History section of CSR Europe's website.