Regional policies focused on Corporate Social Responsability - peer review in Marseille

On 27 and 28 June, the Regional Council Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) will host in Marseille a peer review bringing together five talented policy makers from Finland, Denmark, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. PACA submitted a request to host such a meeting last year and the Policy Learning Platform made it possible! The focus of the discussion will be: what are the most adapted models of regional policies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

During this two-day event, the peers and the host country will discuss scaling up the involvement of companies in the Région Sud, evaluating the impact of CSR policy and generate valuable inputs for the preparation of the new ERDF funded regional operational programme 2021-2027.

The peer review will focus on: 

• Benchmark PACA public policy tools against those of other local and regional authorities in Europe in terms of CSR promotion and companies support. Rather than a detailed individual assessment of its tools, the Région Sud would like a benchmark on the different types of tools to meet the needs of companies wishing to engage in CSR: expertise, financing, valuation, B-to-B networking, etc.
• Have a benchmark on company or label brands in CSR or circular economy developed by public authorities. Specifically, Région Sud is interested in exchanging experience on the conditions for granting and different ways of promoting a brand/label likely to generate a massive commitment to CSR. 
• Beside the existing tools currently used (advice check-book, video clips, CSR visits, online self-diagnosis, CSR awards, CSR forum, social networks) Région Sud is interested to learn if there are any other tools and communication strategies than these that have been put in place in Région Sud. These tools and strategies should ideally have proven added-value to companies and have made it possible to massively spread CSR practices to them.
• Benchmark on existing methods to measure the impact of CSR on business competitiveness and environmental impact (methodology and proven tools)
• CSR is currently absent from ERDF support in Region Sud. Region Sud would like to have a benchmark on how other local authorities have introduced or are planning to introduce the issue of CSR and specifically Circular economy in their ERDF Operational Programme.

About CSR

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a business approach that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders.

About the 'peer review'

Interregional peer reviews supported by the Policy Learning Platform allow managing authorities and public bodies in charge of local or regional development policies to receive hands-on feedback and advice from other European regions (peers) on the implementation of their policies and programmes.
Peers from a selected number of regions are invited to the host region to examine the specific territorial and thematic context, and make recommendations based on their experience and expertise. In general, this onsite visit lasts two days and consists of analysing the regional situation among peers, discussing approaches, solutions and recommendations, drafting a “to-do list” for follow-up action and receiving immediate feedback.
Interested to host a peer review in your region? We currently have a call open. Check the details an apply by 28 June 2019.

Photo credits: James Audry Spencer via Unsplash