Publication: practice-orientated guidebook for CSR advisors

In small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, there is a growing awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In order to support this development, adelphi produced a guidebook on behalf of the European Commission entitled "Tips and Tricks for Advisors – Corporate Social Responsibility for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises".

The guidebook builds on the BarCamp in June 2012, and therefore reflects the information and experiences shared by the participants of the conference. It is aimed at intermediary organisations such as regional development agencies and trade associations, as well as SME advisors in the area of CSR, who play a significant role in clarifying and implementing CSR principles within companies.

The publication highlights three key areas in the typical work of CSR advisors wishing to specialise in small and medium-sized businesses, and describes the necessary skills. As well as this, the guidebook also looks at the individual steps of the advisory process and addresses current focus areas. Each section includes practical tips, numerous examples, helpful literature and further information on relevant projects. "I really don’t know a second source of information that contains this much knowledge related to all literature and also practical projects," states Damla Taskin of Unido.

"Tips and Tricks for Advisors – Corporate Social Responsibility in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises" is available in six languages (English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish). It can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the European Commission's Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry: http://ec.europa.eu/ente…