13/12/2023

On December 13, one year following the establishment of the CSR Stakeholder Forum, the presentation on the "National Framework for the Development of Corporate Responsibility in Georgia" was conducted at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Tbilisi.

The event garnered attendance from approximately 120 guests, comprising representatives from various entities, including companies, business associations, international and civil organizations, government agencies, and diplomatic corps.

During the event, welcome addresses were delivered by distinguished speakers, including Mrs. Eka Urushadze, the Executive Director of the Strategic Research and Development Center of Georgia; Mr. Stephan Malerius, Head of the regional program "Political Dialogue South Caucasus" and Director of the STAR project at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS); Ms. Anna Maria Siko, Ambassador of Hungary to Georgia; and Ms. Tanja Hutt, Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia.

At the event, Lela Khoperia, head of the CSR program at the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, provided a summary of the one-year activities of the CSR Stakeholder Forum. She also described the participatory process of working on the national framework document for CSR development.

Giorgi Papava, one of the co-authors of the developed recommendations, presented the national framework document for CSR, which has been developed at the initiative and under coordination of the Centre for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) in frames of a large-scale program”Civil Society STAR Initiative," implemented by a consortium of four Georgian civil society organizations, with the support of EU and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS).

Following a year of collaborative efforts by the CSR Forum and Working Group, involving consultations and joint discussions, a comprehensive document has been prepared: the National Framework for the Development of Corporate Responsibility in Georgia (Recommendations to the Government of Georgia).

Members of the working group:

• Papava Giorgi, Lead Economist, Head of Private Sector Development Research Center at ISET Policy Institute
• Davit Maisuradze, Associate Professor, Director of Corporate and Commercial Centre, Ilia State University
• Lela Khoperia, Head of the Program on Promoting CSR, the Centre for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia
• Catherine Heaney, Chair of DHR Communications, CSR Stakeholder Forum Ireland, Former Chairperson
• Audronė Alijošiutė-Paulauskienė, Lithuanian Responsible Business Association (LAVA), Founder

Document evaluates the experiences of European countries in promoting and developing corporate responsibility at the national level, conducts an analysis of existing initiatives in Georgia, and puts forth detailed recommendations for the Georgian government regarding policies and measures that endorse corporate responsibility. At the presentation event of the "National Framework Document for CSR Development", a panel discussion was held on the topic: Georgian Context for CSR and Sustainability – New Opportunities in the Wake of EU Integration Contributors:

During the presentation event of the "National Framework Document for CSR Development," a panel discussion took place under the theme: "Georgian Context for CSR and Sustainability – New Opportunities in the Wake of EU Integration."

 Contributors to the discussion included:

• Natia Javakhishvili, Chamber of Commerce and Industry France-Georgia, General Manager
• Nikoloz Alavidze, Altituda, Managing Partner
• Irina Gordeladze, the World Bank, Senior Governance Consultant
• Davit Maisuradze, Associate Professor, Director of Corporate and Commercial Centre at Ilia State University
• Moderator: Lela Khoperia, CSRDG, Head of the Program on Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility

The following speakers provided video addresses for the guests:

• Frances Fitzgerald, Member of European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Group of the European People's Party
• Katja Mader, Director People and Organisation, CSR Europe
• Audronė Alijošiutė-Paulauskienė, Lithuanian Responsible Business Association (LAVA), Founder