REGIONAL VARIATIONS
2.3

From the experience of CSR Vaderegio partners we can identify some contrasting approaches across regions.

Integrated CSR is the subject of the Yorkshire Forward/BITC partnership in the UK with a wide range of initiatives within an overarching approach to CSR aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the region. A comprehensive approach also lies at the foundation of the Flemish Trivisi programme moving from employability and diversity issues to a broad initiative involving a strong network of stakeholders.

An ethical underpinning is strong in the approach within Tuscany and in Sicily where local authorities promote the SA 8000 standard as an expression of the quality of business in the region. In Slovakia’s experience of CSR within a newly developing business culture the ethical dimension and the drive for transparency is also very strong. In the Basque region an emphasis on innovation drives quality and CSR initiatives.

In North-Rhine Westphalia and also in Scotland the corporate citizenship and community involvement strands of CSR have been particularly dominant. Environmental and local regeneration drivers are strong in London and South Denmark and Slovakia highlight issues of healthy working environments and work life balance.

For local authorities the approach to CSR reflects the different policy goals which in turn depend on the socio-economic and political circumstances of the region. In the next section, you can find how those different circumstances set up different regional visions on CSR .