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CSR Training Seminar;
SMEs and CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN TURKEY
27 MARCH 2009, ISTANBUL

The concept of CSR is still a new topic for Turkey, yet stands as a high priority on the agenda.  Through the implementation of activities for a better understanding and application of Corporate Social Responsibility, the whole society will benefit by drawing its way for a sustainable development based upon EU standards.  

This will help Turkey improving competitiveness, social cohesion and grasping a better understanding of EU policies and values for an improved and consistent society during the accession process of Turkey to the European Union.

CSR Training Seminar for SMEs

CSR appears as an out of reach theme for the SMEs that constructs the majority of entrepreneurship in Turkey. SMEs approach the theme of CSR and their social impact  with a softer corporate structure. SMEs also do not correlate their business strategies with the CSR practices.

However, many of the SMEs conduct socially and environmentally responsible actions without the knowledge of CSR concepts. These actions usually perceived and described as responsible entrepreneurship. In order to enable SMEs to implement responsible entrepreneurship practices it is required to approach CSR as a risk management tool and awareness raising on economic benefits of CSR is needed.

CSR Training Seminar will be organized on 27 March 2009 at İstanbul Kadir Has University and will target to reach 40-50 SME owners or professionals. The content of the training was prepared to include local issues and sector priorities. SME Guidelines and surveys for CSR will be utilized during the training to enhance the impact of the training. 

Outcomes

CSR conference aims the following outcomes;

• Enable participants to strategically discuss on responsible entrepreneurship with a CSR focus
• Enable SMEs to describe their responsible actions which may be accepted as CSR yet SMEs are not aware.

Participant Profile

• SME Owners, professionals, sector NGOs