Assistance will be provided to strengthen the role of NGOs in CSR policy of the private sector
- Ashraf Hajiyev
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
The “Prioritet” Center for Socio-Economic Research has launched a new project aimed at strengthening the role of NGOs in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Azerbaijan.
The project titled "Strengthening the Role of NGOs in Development of National CSR Practices" is being implemented with the financial support of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The project aims to bridge the gap in collaboration between the private sector and civil society. Although many companies in Azerbaijan are increasingly engaged in CSR activities, the scope of genuine consultation with NGOs and their involvement in shaping these practices largely remains unexplored.
This initiative seeks to address that gap by promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration and a strategic approach in the formulation of CSR policies, ensuring that corporate social activities are more impactful and aligned with societal needs.
The project’s research team will analyze the CSR activities and reports of 20 selected companies, representing various sectors in Azerbaijan, for the years 2023–2024. These companies have been chosen based on their relevant experience and existing policies. The main focus will be on the extent and role of NGO participation in these processes. Additionally, discussions will be held with company representatives to understand their perspectives and future outlooks on such cooperation.
To provide a global context and identify actionable recommendations, the project will also review leading international practices. Successful models from countries like Turkiye, Georgia, and others—including Malaysia and Indonesia in the Global South—will be studied to determine how NGOs effectively contribute to CSR policy development.
The project will culminate in preparation of a research report. This report will synthesize the results of corporate analysis and a review of best international practices. It will contain concrete recommendations on how both companies and NGOs can strengthen their partnerships, with a particular focus on integrating NGO expertise into the strategic development of CSR policies.
In addition, the project will explore the experiences of member countries of the Organization of Turkic States in this area and examine opportunities for cooperation. NGOs from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkiye will deliver online presentations to their Azerbaijani counterparts about their involvement in CSR activities and participate in topic-related discussions.
To ensure broad dissemination and contribution of the project results, the team will organize two expert roundtables. During these events, the project team will present the research findings and engage in dialogue with stakeholders from government, business community, and civil society to promote the adoption of the report’s recommendations.
The head of the project and Chairman of the “Prioritet” Center for Socio-Economic Research emphasized that effective CSR is not only about philanthropy but also about strategic partnerships that drive positive social change:
“By analyzing current CSR practices in Azerbaijan and learning from successful international models, we aim to provide a clear roadmap for how companies and NGOs can collaborate more effectively to achieve better outcomes in this field.”
The project’s findings are expected to offer significant expertise and resources for companies seeking to improve their CSR strategies, for NGOs aiming to build more effective relationships with the private sector, and for government bodies interested in fostering an enabling environment for such partnerships.
Source of the news: https://yenicag.az/ozel-sektorun-ksm-siyasetinde-qht-lerin-rolunun-guclendirilmesine-yardim-gosterilecek
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