Within this facus area the project Enhancement of regional competitiveness through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measures will be implemented. The project was appointed under the crestricted call for proposal. In the process of selecting the project the Ministry of Economy was involved. The project will be implemented by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (so called Executing Agency). In 2010 the National Coordination Unit forwarded the Final Project Proposal to the Swiss side for further evaluation.
PROJECTS DESCIPTION
Relevance:
Project facilitates the implementation of activities enhancing know-how of COIEs and competitiveness of SMEs on CSR at local level. Within the project specialised trainings for COIEs and local SMEs will be offered in the area of CSR, putting major emphasis on sustainable development and taking into account eco-efficiency aspects. Furthermore, local SMEs will be able to apply for financial assistance on a competitive basis for the implementation of the best projects in the field of CSR.
Result:
Enhanced competitiveness of local SMEs by increased number of eco-efficient and socially responsible companies as well as awareness raised among companies on the importance of sustainable development. Growth of export of products and services among responsible companies. Raising CSR awareness.
Implementation of pilot SMEs projects on CSR aspects (including customised advisory and financial assistance).
Dissemination of information on CSR and examples of best practices on CSR by all involved stakeholders.
Enhanced know-how of COIEs and regional policy makers.
Beneficiaries: COIEs, non – profit oriented business and trade supporting institutions, SMEs.
The project shall consist namely of 3 following components (implemented one after another):
1) Capacity building - of COIEs, regional policy makers and SMEs on CSR by means of trainings, workshops, selected study visits and awareness rising with regard to inter alia:
- sustainable development of SMEs in regions,
- CSR concept, CSR management international standards and unified procedures (e.g. ISO norm 26000),
- development of CSR strategies as a lever for competitive advantage,
- eco-efficiency - taking social and ecological criteria into consideration when exporting goods and services (including tourism),
- identification of potential measurable effects of the implementation of CSR projects supported via the Swiss Contribution, including eco-efficiency (in order to make the potential projects feasible);
- benchmarking tools, monitoring & communication of CSR effects.
Allocation: CHF 0,5 - 0,75 Mio.
2) Assistance on implementation of CSR solutions – pilot SMEs projects including a financial support for advisory services and implementation. This assistance will be given to SMEs in a competitive procedure for the best projects enhancing sustainable competitiveness mainly in the area of eco-efficiency initiatives (including tourism) with regard to the following most important areas of CSR for SMEs :
a) environment;
b) relations with firm’s personnel;
c) social engagement.
Allocation: CHF 4 Mio.
Assistance will be given on the basis of de minimis principle, up to 100 000 PLN per SME. The SMEs co-financing is required - a minimum of 40% of eligible costs shall by covered by the applicant. The cost of hardware purchasing shall not exceed 20% of total eligible costs of a particular project. Depending on the exchange rate, 90 to 135 pilot projects will be financed.
3) Dissemination of best practices and communication of the projects' effects (implemented under component 2) shall be conducted in the following form:
- evaluation of the results of particular projects implemented under component 2, identification of best practices,
- know-how transfer,
- using other methods of communication like COIE portal, brochures, local media, PR activities.
Allocation: CHF 0,25 - 0,5 Mio.