30/06/2023

The first working meeting of the CSR Stakeholder Forum brought together representatives from 40 diverse civil and international organizations, business associations, educational institutions, and the public sector. Their collective focus was on charting a course for CSR development in Georgia and fostering an enabling environment for it.

At the event, experts from Georgia and Europe shared insights within the framework of the Work Group, which is dedicated to formulating recommendations for advancing CSR:

• Audronė Alijošiutė-Paulauskienė, Lithuanian Responsible Business Association (LAVA), Managing Director
• Catherine Heaney, CSR Stakeholder Forum Ireland, Former Chairperson
• Davit Maisuradze, Associate Professor, Director of Corporate and Commercial Centre at Ilia State University
• Giorgi Papava, Lead Economist and Head of Private Sector Development Research Center at ISET Policy Institute

Following these presentations, a lively discussion ensued, addressing key topics such as:

• Tools for increasing awareness and disseminating information about CSR in society
• Providing knowledge and guidance on CSR to companies and enhancing their CSR profiles
• Strategies for promoting stakeholder dialogue and fostering cross-sector partnerships on CSR and sustainability issues
• Mechanisms for promoting CSR among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Facilitating business engagement in the implementation of the national plan for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Integrating environmental and social criteria into sustainable public procurement practices

Throughout the discussion, diverse and thought-provoking opinions were shared, all of which will be carefully considered in the formulation of the forthcoming recommendations.