BRC - Building Responsible Competitiveness in the Construction Sector

The European project "BRC - Building Responsible Competitiveness", co-financed by the European Commission, set out to foster corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the construction sector by involving large companies operating in the field, SMEs that are part of the supply chain, and relevant stakeholders such as business organisations, trade unions and universities. The 18-month project involved ten partners from five European countries (Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Portugal), as well as CSR Europe.

CSR Guidelines for the Construction Sector

CSR Guidelines for the Construction SectorBased on an analysis of 44 best practice case studies and a series of stakeholder workshops, the project developed CSR guidelines for companies in the construction sector.

The guidelines offer an in-depth analysis of the benefits of integrating CSR principles in day-to-day business and practical advice in four thematic areas:

  • Health and safety
  • Eco-compatibility
  • Supply chain management
  • Equal opportunities

Please click here to download the following documents:

  • CSR Guidelines for the Construction Sector (eng)
  • Executive Summary (eng)
  • Presentation Leaflet (eng)

Please click here to download the following documents:

  • Executive Summary (fr)
  • Presentation Leaflet (fr)

About the Project

Project Objectives

  • Verify and demonstrate that the adoption of socially responsible actions can enhance the competitiveness of the business in the construction sector
  • Provide companies in the construction sector with tools for developing innovative CSR policies
  • Raise awareness among the actors of the construction sector, thereby contributing to the promotion of the culture of corporate social responsibility, in line with the objectives of the Lisbon Agenda and with the EU strategy of promotion of CSR

Project Stages

The project was carried out in six development stages:

  1. Research and Analysis: Elaborating an overview of the relevant context for the analysis, within which were defined and tested the set of indicators. 
  2. Building the tools for the analysis: Identification of proper performance indicators of sustainability and market competitiveness.
  3. Pilot experimentation: Analysis of best practices for each of the main CSR dimensions identified for the construction sector. Impact analysis of considered best practices according to the identified CSR and competitiveness indicators.
  4. Elaboration and deliverables: Elaboration of finalized set of indicators and elaboration of CSR Guidelines addressed to construction companies.
  5. Dissemination: Dissemination of project results and deliverables.
  6. Management, monitoring and evaluation: Administration of the project, general coordination in order to assure the efficiency, effectiveness, quality and deadlines of project phase’s implementation. 

Project Partners

  • Impronta Etica (project leader) - Italian non-profit organisation for the development of CSR
  • Nuova Quasco - Research institute of the Emilia Romagna region specialised in the construction sector
  • Cooperative di Produzione e Lavoro - Italian association representing production and employment co-operatives
  • University of Bologna, Department of Management
  • IRES - Italian social and economic research institute linked to one of the most important trade unions in Italy (CGIL)
  • respACT - The leading business platform for CSR and sustainable development in Austria
  • Forética - Spanish association for the promotion of ethical and socially responsible policies
  • KÖVET - The Hungarian association for sustainable economies
  • RSE Portugal - The leading association for CSR in Portugal
  • CSR Europe - The European business network for CSR

Further Documents