European companies are increasingly committed to adopting principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but often lack information or the practical tools to do so. In order to support SMEs on their CSR path, EUROCHAMBRES have launched CAESAR, a programme to help Chambers of Commerce become “CSR relay points” for SMEs.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise will be participating in this project through its National Affairs executive Andrè Fenech.

CAESAR aims to improve the capacity of chambers to provide CSR services to their member companies. Initially, 50 chamber advisors – including Mr Fenech – will be trained to offer their CSR expertise to enterprises and to other European Chambers.

EUROCHAMBRES secretary-general Arnaldo Abruzzini said: “Companies are keen to incorporate CSR in their activities, but need to learn about it in appropriate terms that correspond to their day-to-day reality. Encouraging companies to adopt CSR practices will add value and contribute to their long term competitiveness.”

CAESAR is financially supported by the EU’s programme Mainstreaming CSR among SMEs and will provide CSR guidance to more than 200 European companies.

In a comment, Malta Chamber director-general Kevin J. Borg said that the local chamber was already involved in the European Commission’s awareness campaign that was concluded last year. “From our previous involvement, we have confirmed that CSR is nothing new to our country. Our commercial community is, and has always been, well-known for conducting business with a conscience and with the utmost responsibility towards society,” he said.

Mr Borg concluded: “As a chamber, we go to great lengths to emphasise that ‘profit’ is not a dirty word. It is profits that drive our companies to provide jobs in the community. It is profits that encourage businesses to undertake research and to invest in the development of human capital through training. It is the bottom-line that convinces firms to seek efficient waste management. In addition, local businesses maintain close relations with society and take special interest in the welfare of their employees – again because it pays them to do so. We therefore believe that CSR is a win-win situation, but we must find the right formula to support it in order not to distort the process.”