How can your company's CSR policies be more inclusive?

1 Assess your impact

Before you design or implement any CSR initiative, you need to understand how your business affects the people and places where you work. Conduct a thorough impact assessment that covers the environmental, social, economic, and human rights aspects of your operations. Identify the positive and negative impacts, the risks and opportunities, and the gaps and challenges. Use reliable data sources, consult with local stakeholders, and follow global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

2 Align with local needs

Your CSR policies should not be imposed from the top down, but rather co-created with the bottom up. Engage with your local communities, customers, employees, suppliers, and other relevant groups to understand their needs, preferences, and aspirations. Align your CSR goals and activities with the local development priorities, cultural norms, and legal frameworks. For example, if you operate in a region where access to clean water is a pressing issue, you could support local water projects or improve your water efficiency.

3 Adapt to different contexts

Your CSR policies should not be rigid or uniform, but rather flexible and diverse. Recognize that different contexts require different approaches, strategies, and solutions. Adapt your CSR policies to the specific circumstances, challenges, and opportunities of each location. For example, if you operate in a region where gender equality is a sensitive issue, you could tailor your gender policies to the local culture, while still respecting your global values and commitments.

4 Amplify local voices

Your CSR policies should not be silent or exclusive, but rather loud and inclusive. Communicate your CSR vision, mission, and actions to your local stakeholders, customers, employees, and partners. Invite their feedback, suggestions, and criticisms. Listen to their stories, experiences, and perspectives. Amplify their voices through your CSR reports, campaigns, and events. For example, if you operate in a region where human rights are a concern, you could showcase how your CSR initiatives empower local human rights defenders or victims.

5 Assess your impact

Your CSR policies should not be static or final, but rather dynamic and ongoing. Monitor and evaluate your CSR performance, outcomes, and impacts on a regular basis. Use relevant indicators, metrics, and tools to measure your progress and achievements. Report your results transparently and accountably to your local and global stakeholders. Learn from your successes and failures. Improve your CSR policies based on the lessons learned and the best practices shared. For example, if you operate in a region where environmental sustainability is a priority, you could benchmark your CSR initiatives against the Sustainable Development Goals or other global standards.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?