Many start-up companies have more assets at their fingertips and are better able to embark on social responsibility strategies than they may initially realize. As a start-up, a company is still relatively small and nimble. As companies grow and cultures and operations become more rigid, it becomes more difficult to take initiatives that do not directly contribute to the bottom line. During their first steps, start-ups have the unique opportunity to “bake in” social responsibility and reap the long-term dividends that social responsibility practices can bring to a brand. To help bring their social responsibility priorities into focus, start-ups should begin with a discovery process to identify how their business directly impacts communities and people around them, and the ways their assets can be re-imagined to drive social change. In this regard the project SUM sets the framework for EU start-up companies to meet their corporate social responsibilities and in this way strengthens the feeling of social justice and coherence among EU citizens. In this regard the project SUM aims to: Create a Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) framework for start-up companies that takes seriously in mind EU citizens’ rights and employability, accountability, civil participation, social justice and environmental issues. Facilitate a better understanding of what CSR actually is among start-up companies head administrators and employees. Emphasize the issue of corporal transparency which is so crucial for start-ups in maintaining reliable and trustworthy organisations. The participants are head administrators and employees of start-up companies along with formal and non-formal stakeholders and practitioners, labour union members and individual citizens, administrations, governmental services, any interested parties; additionally, in certain events will take part executive members of the Start-Up Europe Advisory Board (SEAB). The estimated number of participants is approximately 2000. The activities conducted are in the context of the following methodology: • Preliminary Research on how CSR is incorporated into the mentality of EU start-up companies. • Scientific evidence and relevant outcomes on the current status of CSR for EU start-up companies today. • Propose relevant measures that animate social sensitivities and awareness by start-up head administrators and employees that specifically relies to CSR mentality. There have been developed in three main categories and with subsequent categories the results as follows: a) Preparatory/Foundation category, with the preliminary review & research on the existing situation and the variables of CSR as related to EU start-up companies. b) Development, incorporation & sustainability category including the suggested SUM framework manual, Handbook, relevant workshops and consultation. c) Dissemination activities entailing the SUM framework manual, web-based actions, info days, workshops, conference Concerning the overall impact, the SUM project is expected to create the framework for sustainable development and social responsibility from the part of EU start-up companies. Socially responsible business behaviour has to be grounded on steady democratic principles that take into serious consideration citizens’ rights and employability, accountability, civil participation, social justice as well as environmental issues. The project adheres to the international and European dimension of creating a start-up ecosystem in Europe accompanied with specific impact on relevant decision makers in embracing and further promoting CSR mentality in EU start-up companies.
The SUM project aimed to create a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework for start-ups, that would take into account the rights and employability of EU citizens, while also facilitating a better understanding of what CSR really is among chief executives and employees of start-ups and highlighting the issue of corporate transparency and improved institutional culture. Additionally, the project promoted the engagement of active participation of head administrators and employees of start-up companies along with formal and non-formal stakeholders and practitioners, individual citizens, administrations, governmental services, and any interested parties, while offering capacity building in start-ups for the implementation of responsible entrepreneurial actions and promoting a relevant reward system. Finally, the project aimed to provide the necessary measures of support in creating a better understanding of what constitutes CSR, its origins, dimensions, business imperatives, and opportunities for start-ups, with the ultimate goal to strengthen networks and share new insights on embedding a CSR culture in start-ups, as well as good practice and quality resources on CSR.
During their early stages of operation, start-ups are mostly concerned and engaged with customer/audience acquisition, fundraising and development, product development, promotion, and other related activities. They are sometimes not aware of the availability of many tools that can assist them in establishing and maintaining Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies. A start-up is still relatively new and small, compared to larger enterprises, which subsequently means that it is also more flexible to adapt in a constantly evolving business environment. Therefore, throughout their early steps, start-ups have the unique opportunity to "embed" CSR and reap the long-term dividends that social responsibility practices can bring to a business. In order to focus and properly establish their CSR priorities, start-ups should follow a strategic plan: begin with identifying their goals and stakeholders, how their operation directly impacts the communities and people around them, as well as ways in which their assets can be repurposed to drive social change. In this respect, the SUM project aimed to set a framework for EU start-ups to meet their CSR and, in doing so, to foster a sense of social justice and cohesion among EU citizens.