Noprofit organization of large enterprises for sustainability, CSR & social economy in EmiliaRomagna

In 2000, three companies from the Emilia-Romagna region’s cooperative sector attended the first EU conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Brussels. Once back home, with other 4 large companies based in the Region gather resources & start-up a no-profit association aimed at promoting mutual learning in the framework of sustainability & CSR and supporting the development of the social economy sector at territorial level. It is linked to the collaborative governance of non-profit organisation build up by large and medium companies to promote sustainability and CSR. It shows that large companies can be leaders in boosting strategic partnerships and capacity building on sustainability. Today, ImprontaEtica counts 36 member companies from diverse sectors e.g. finance, agribusiness, transport, personal care, facility, engineering, utilities. All services offered by ImprontaEtica are ensured to the companies’ members through an annual membership fee. Both individual and joint training activities, benchmarking, research action, support in building strategic partnerships are part of the services. Member companies elect a Steering Committee (SC) with a 3-year term of office. The SC appoints President and Vice President. ImprontaEtica delivers a strategic plan (SP) every 3 years, to identify the main activities relevant to promote CSR. The SP focuses on working methods & goals to be achieved with member companies e.g. increase capacities to build new partnership.