The region has a strong tradition of SME’s participation in community activities and business is seen as an important actor in the field of social development. Because of this there is no CSR-vision – a least not from a government perspective – as it is taken for granted. Instead there is a tendency to focus on issues like corporate governance, work/life balance, life long learning and social dialogue.

The regional government of North Rhine – Westphalia has powers over subjects related to CSR in fields such as economy and innovation, social affairs, education, environment and local government.

Specific starting point of the political system in North Rhine-Westphalia is the federal states’ constitution which came into force on 11.7.1950 after the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany. Therefore it is influenced by and quite similar to the states’ basic constitutional law. Being one of the federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany with own legislative, executive and judiciary powers, North Rhine-Westphalia has its own parliament.