Why is this important?

Companies pay taxes, provide jobs and, with their products or services, often directly help to satisfy needs of local people. They also use the infrastructure of the region in which they operate and benefit from good roads, well-trained people, cultural diversity and the fact that public safety is ensured. Many companies know that they can only continue to be successful in the medium and long term in a supportive environment, and so involve themselves with local social and environmental matters beyond their core business activities. In so doing, they strengthen the local community’s ability to proactively handle potential crises and quickly develop solutions to problems together.

What do the terms mean?

The term corporate citizenship refers to the protection and development of local communities in the regions in which your company is primarily active.

What needs to be borne in mind?

This criterion relates to contributions to sustainable development outside of your company’s core business areas. Outline your involvement in local projects and name any support measures through which you assume responsibility towards society. This may be donations to sports clubs, cultural events or social institutions, or partnerships with schools or higher education institutions that involve offering trainee positions to young people or increasing the practical relevance of study courses. Another fundamental contribution to a sustainable infrastructure and corporate citizenship is your company paying corporation taxes in full in the country in which your business is conducted. If applicable, please also consider your company foundation and any special programmes that facilitate corporate volunteering among your employees.

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Report on the strategies and concrete measures with which your company contributes to corporate citizenship, in particular by championing social, environmental, cultural and economic issues within municipalities or regions above and beyond its core business and seeking dialogue with individuals, institutions and associations at the municipal and regional levels.