Networks and training

Berlin CSR Consensus on Corporate Responsibility in Value and Supply Chains

The National CSR Forum which was launched by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in 2009 and currently consists of 41 members – high-ranking experts from business, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and research bodies as well as representatives of the participating federal ministries. The tasks of the National CSR Forum include advising the Federal Government on the continuing development of the national CSR strategy and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. This also ensures, among other things, that the assistance enterprises need to successfully meet their due diligence obligations must be continually communicated to the Federal Government and the services correspondingly adjusted, when possible.

The Forum drafted a "Berlin CSR Consensus on Corporate Responsibility in Value and Supply Chains." It was adopted on 25 June 2018 and provides companies with practical guidance on how to implement responsible supply chain management.

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develoPPP funding programme (BMZ)

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s develoPPP funding programme provides financial and technical support for companies planning to invest sustainably in a developing or emerging country. An ideas competition for sustainable corporate initiatives, it aims to bring together entrepreneurial opportunities and development policy potential.

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Federal Government's CSR awards: Special award for responsible supply chain management

The Federal Government's CSR awards are a recognition for companies that make their business activities sustainable socially, ecologically and economically. The aim is to reward, promote and give concrete support to responsible corporate conduct. The award is aimed both at large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises. After doing so in 2013, 2014 and 2017, the Federal Government will give out awards for ideas, approaches and concepts for sustainable management for the fourth time in 2020. Since 2017, there has also been a special award for responsible supply chain management.

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Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas

The Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas (ABNB) is an agricultural initiative that aims to improve the sustainability of the entire value chain around bananas that are sold in Germany. In order to achieve this, the alliance works on various projects, provides information events and online courses, and regularly publishes recent studies.

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Alliance for Integrity

The Alliance for Integrity is an international multi-stakeholder initiative and serves as a business-driven interface between the private sector, policy institutions and civil society organisations. For companies, the website serves among other things as a platform for compliance issues, with training, support and publications on the subject.

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Aluminium Stewardship Initiative

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) aims to develop global standards along the entire aluminium value chain in order to ensure sustainable aluminium production. To achieve this, the initiative has formulated standards of its own and provides related information and training for companies.

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Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)

The Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is an international business network for the improvement of social standards in value chains. BSCI has developed a common verification system for social standards and also provides a range of country-specific information, tools and events on its website.

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Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety (garment industry)

The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety is a legally binding agreement between companies and trade unions on building safety and occupational safety and health in the Bangladesh garment sector. The initiative was launched in response to the devastating fires at the Rana Plaza garment factory in 2013. Factory inspections, safety training and the establishment of a complaints hotline aim to make garment factories safer for millions of workers.

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Better Buying

The Better Buying rating platform provides transparent information and analysis on supplier procurement practices in order to strengthen relationships between multinational brands and retailers on a long-term basis.

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Better Cotton Initiative (garment industry)

This multi-stakeholder initiative was launched in 2005 with the aim of promoting sustainable cotton production and improving working conditions in cotton growing areas. The Better Cotton Initiative provides a range of education and support services, including further education, training courses and impact studies.

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Better Work Programme in the garment industry

A partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation, the Better Work Programme brings together governments, unions, factory owners, workers, unions and global brands. It aims to draw attention to grievances and promote decent working conditions in the garment industry with the aid of advice and training.

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Blue Competence (mechanical engineering)

Blue Competence is an initiative of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association with the aim of promoting sustainability in mechanical engineering. Events and activities for members help spread the word about sustainable ideas and solutions in the sector.

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The Sustainability Code

Published by the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), the German Sustainability Code (DNK) provides companies with a standardised format for sustainability reporting. To comply with the Code, companies prepare a statement on twenty GSC criteria and supplementary non-financial performance indicators. The information is compiled in a database.

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DGCN Global Compact Network Germany

Since 1999, companies have been able to make commitments to the United Nations to comply with certain social principles, and in particular human rights principles and ecological principles: This is called Global Compact. The Ministry has funded the German Global Compact Network (DGCN) since 2004 in close cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office. As a business-driven multi-stakeholder forum, the network has provided training courses since 2000 on implementing corporate responsibility for human rights at management level. The Federal Government is working to expand these services and to reach even more companies, especially German SMEs, with the formats. This includes awareness-raising measures as well as the practical handling of individual elements of human rights due diligence.

In cooperation with Twentyfifty Ltd., the DGCN offers, for example, the qualification program "Fit für den NAP", which supports companies in systematically implementing human rights due diligence. The program offers both "beginners" and "advanced" well-founded assistance in the introduction and further development of human rights due diligence.

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Drive Sustainability (automotive industry)

The aim of the Drive Sustainability partnership is for the sector to work together to improve social, ethical and environmental performance in automotive supply chains. The commitment is backed up with regular events and training courses.

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Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

ETI is an alliance of companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations committed to respecting workers’ rights around the world, ending workplace exploitation and discrimination and promoting fair trade. With the help of information and training resources, the Ethical Trading Initiative provides a platform for decent work.

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European Partnership for Responsible Minerals

This multi-stakeholder initiative aims for better living and working conditions for mine workers and mining communities, and for socially responsible mining of minerals in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Using the Due Diligence Hub, the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals determines where companies stand in meeting their due diligence obligations along the supply chain and what measures can be taken to further strengthen the rights of people and the environment.

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Fair Wear Foundation (garment industry)

The non-profit Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) aims to improve working conditions in the garment industry. In collaboration with partners – including governments, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and business associations – FWF provides a range of information, resources and tools, including a brand performance check, online labour minute costing calculators and guidance on certification processes.

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German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa

This multi-stakeholder initiative aims to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers and promote sustainable farming methods in dialogue with the governments of cocoa-producing countries. It is made up of the Federal Government – represented by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – numerous companies and food industry associations, and non-governmental organisations. Forum members organise events and workshops.

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Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil

A multi-stakeholder initiative led by GIZ (the German Development Agency), the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V., the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil aims to improve certification schemes for palm oil extraction. FONAP organises events at regular intervals.

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Global Battery Alliance

Founded by the World Economic Forum, the Global Battery Alliance (GBA) is an initiative aiming to minimise human rights and environmental risks in the manufacture of batteries and to make the battery value chain sustainable. For this purpose, it publishes guiding principles and studies and organises events on various topics.

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Global Network Initiative (telecommunications sector)

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) – a coalition of organisations and companies in the telecommunications industry – promotes free access to communication services, the right to free expression and protecting the privacy of Internet users. It publishes studies and reports and organises events on topics such as corporate due diligence, freedom of expression and human rights.

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ILO-Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards

In addition, as part of its support for the International Labour Organization, the Federal Government provides financing for the ILO's Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards, which has been helping enterprises to apply international labour and social standards correctly since 2009. The Helpdesk offers information on all aspects of decent work, including collective bargaining, discrimination with respect to employment or occupation, the promotion of employment and decent work, forced labour, freedom of assembly, occupational safety and health, wages and benefits, and working time.

Metal Alliance for Responsible Sourcing

The Metal Alliance for Responsible Sourcing (MARS) provides tailored advice and support services on supply chain due diligence. MARS supports European companies in the metals and raw materials industry in identifying the origin of their raw materials together with risks relating to human rights and environmental standards along their supply chains in order to develop a tailored risk management system.

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Partnerships 2030

GIZ (the German Development Agency) and Engagement Global – bengo jointly support the creation of public-interest multi-stakeholder alliances bringing together policymakers, businesses and civil society under the framework of Agenda 2030. Partnerships 2030 provides legal, litigation and financial advice, organises events and publishes studies on topics related to cooperation structures in multi-stakeholder alliances.

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Responsible Business Alliance (electronics sector)

The non-profit Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a coalition of leading electronics companies committed to compliance with a code of conduct on corporate responsibility and sustainability in global supply chains. RBA organises events and training on topics such as minerals, factories and data management systems and provides support with audits and surveys. Its services target companies, governments, civil society, workers, investors and academia.

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Responsible Mica Initiative

The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) is a global action alliance working for fair, responsible and sustainable resource extraction –specifically mica extraction – in the Indian states of Jharkhand and Bihar. RMI organises various programmes and events to create decent working conditions and end child labour.

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Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism

With the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and GIZ (the German Development Agency), Round Table Human Rights in Tourism e.V. focuses on the implementation of corporate social responsibility in the tourism sector. The multi-stakeholder initiative addresses how companies in the tourism industry can meet their responsibility to respect human rights. It organises information events, offers further education courses and provides an online human rights impact assessment tool.

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Sustainable Apparel Coalition (garment and footwear industry)

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is made up of apparel, footwear and textile brands, retailers, suppliers, service providers, trade associations, non-profits, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions working to reduce environmental impact and promote social justice throughout the global value chain. SAC has developed the Hiig Index, a standardised tool to measure environmental and social impacts across value chains.

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Together for Sustainability (chemical sector)

Together for Sustainability (TfS) is a network of chemical companies. Its aim is to improve environmental and social standards in supply chains and standardise supplier assessments and audits worldwide. TfS organises dialogue and information events and provides training materials for suppliers.

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