MVO Nederland

  • We have moved to a new platform. Please make sure you update the links in your favorites
  • If the content of this page is not what you were looking for, please contact us
  • In the mean time you can look for it using our search page
Postbus 48

CSR Netherlands is an independent organisation founded with a start-up grant from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands. The objective and work of the centre are laid down in the articles of association. The success of the centre will depend entirely on the value it will have for all parties in society, which will be evidenced by the willingness of these parties to commit to the centre by engaging in a partnership. This initiative by the Ministry will therefore require the broad support of businesses, social organisations/NGOs and public authorities. The input supplied by these partners will be key in determining the activities of the centre.
CSR Netherlands will encourage and support organisations in the fulfilment of their role in society. A major activity of the centre is the supply of information on corporate social responsibility (CSR) to businesses, public authorities and NGOs. The centre will also support businesses, NGOs and public authorities in the stakeholder dialogue associated with CSR and will seek collaboration with other centres of expertise, industry organisations and NGOs, which share a keen interest in corporate social responsibility.

CSR Netherlands will have four roles:

  • Expertise manager: gather expertise on corporate social responsibility and make this expertise accessible;
  • Stimulator: actively supply information and resources to businesses, list and circulate ‘good practices’, and anticipate possibilities for corporate social responsibility;
  • Broker: bring businesses, NGOs and public authorities together, and facilitate the stakeholder dialogue;
  • Think tank: develop a vision, through dialogue, in the field of corporate social responsibility and fill (or arranging for third parties to fill) any gaps in expertise in the field of corporate social responsibility

Possible activities

  • Create a website with details relating to expertise and information on corporate social responsibility as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible;
  • Research the need for information and support, and fulfill this need through partnership relations;
  • Participate in, and initiate social debates, in order to raise awareness on the role of corporate social responsibility.
  • Organise themed meetings and/or round table meetings focusing on aspects of company policy relating to corporate social responsibility, such as e.g. major social questions, the business case for corporate social responsibility, social and environmental issues, and the position of shareholders in the company.
  • Organise (together with partners) one or more annual events, in order to raise awareness of developments in the field of corporate social responsibility and to kindle enthusiasm in all concerned. Arrange a prize for any organisation that has distinguished itself in the field of corporate social responsibility.
  • Encourage social responsibility reports and help to improve these reports.
  • Actively offer information to SMEs, ranging from advice to specific tools. Existing local initiatives are important here, as the connection between SMEs and their immediate environment is often a strong one. SMEs will be approached in different ways: by following up requests from the SME for information; by informing businesses of the existence of the centre; by seeking out industry organisations, joint ventures and other intermediaries and through large businesses and public authorities which have a purchasing relationship with SMEs.
  • Prepare a Social Responsibility Report for private limited companies in the Netherlands. This will deal with the major social problems currently facing the Netherlands and will describe best practices for the ways in which businesses can contribute to resolving these problems. Attention will be paid to the dilemmas involved and to the role of other social groupings. The Social Responsibility Report for private limited companies in the Netherlands will start with a limited number of subjects and indicators and will expand, over the next few years, into a comprehensive report that can be used as a benchmark for social responsibility reports for partner businesses.
  • Seek out co-operation with other CSR centres of expertise, including international centres such as BITC, Copenhagen Centre, Trivisi, Orse etc., with a view to sharing tools.