Future Focus and Forward Scotland have signed an agreement whereby both companies will support corporate social responsibility in their respective country and in other EU countries. The programme under which each company will work is called Grades.
Grades is a graduate placement programme for graduates who are interested in working for employers on developing and improving ethical and sustainable business processes and practices. Thus Grades provides in-depth work experience at all levels of business for the graduate. The programme is not restricted to any specific business sector, as it aims to provide employers in any sector with assistance to better understand and take action to improve their ethical and environmental performance. Grades has a number of objectives, including that of providing a platform for the next generation of employees and businesses that is founded on the principles of sustainable development.
Forward Scotland has been working in the field of sustainable development since 1996. The company works to champion innovative approaches to sustainable development in Scotland by initiating practical demonstration projects, undertaking research and helping to influence policy. Since 1997, the company has supported a range of programmes to encourage resource efficiency in business, including Business Wins, REAP and DEMI. These programmes have helped participating businesses to achieve £4m in total savings per year.
The company is also a member of the Vision in Business for the Environment in Scotland (VIBES) steering group. VIBES is an award scheme that recognises businesses that go beyond legislation and achieve economic benefit from incorporating sustainable development principles into the company ethos. The VIBES award is the only Scottish feeder for the European Environment Awards and the 2006 winner of the European Environment Awards, “Windsave”, was a VIBES winner.
Future Focus is working on this initiative locally together with Mepa.
The first graduate, Guillem Vich-Callejo, who is presently in Malta, is assisting both Future Focus and Mepa to promote sustainable development. Future Focus, which has recently opened an office in the UK, has made a financial contribution to this initiative. Managing director Rosanne Galea said that each and every company in Malta should practice social responsibility. Climate change is taking centre stage in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development is in everyone’s interest. A strong reputation in environmental and social responsibility can help a company build trust with its stakeholders.