SUM – Designing and Implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Start-Ups as a Visibility, Growth and Multiplication Tool

Many start-up companies have more assets at their fingertips and are better able to embark on social responsibility strategies than they may initially realize. As a start-up, a company is still relatively small and nimble. As companies grow and cultures and operations become more rigid, it becomes more difficult to take initiatives that do not directly contribute to the bottom line. During their first steps, start-ups have the unique opportunity to “bake in” social responsibility and reap the long-term dividends that social responsibility practices can bring to a brand. To help bring their social responsibility priorities into focus, start-ups should begin with a discovery process to identify how their business directly impacts communities and people around them, and the ways their assets can be re-imagined to drive social change. In this regard the project SUM sets the framework for EU start-up companies to meet their corporate social responsibilities and in this way strengthens the feeling of social justice and coherence among EU citizens.

The main objectives of the SUM project: -Create a Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) framework for start-up companies that takes seriously in mind EU citizens’ rights and employability, accountability, civil participation,social justice and environmental issues. -Facilitate a better understanding of what CSR actually is among start-up companies head administrators and employees. -Emphasize the issue of corporal transparency which is so crucial for start-ups in maintaining reliable and trustworthy organisations.

CSR Cyprus – Cyprus
Cescot Veneto – Italy
CESUR -Spain
Die Berater bridges to europe- Austria
HIGGS – Greece
MB Homo Eminens XWHY – Lithuania Center for Social Innovation- Cyprus