A National Action Plan on CSR for Malta-converted

A National Action Plan on
CSR for Malta
CORE Platform

Why do we need a National Action Plan?
• There is a need for a holistic model whereby economic growth is engineered to deliver prosperity
and inclusion, feeding back into growth into a virtuous circle.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the fundamental engine generating this process.
• Business implement CSR, but since prosperity and inclusion encompass all stakeholders in society,
CSR needs to be delivered in line with a national strategy.
• Malta is the only Member State of the European Union where
this framework is missing.

The aims of this project
• The overall aim of the project is to create a national CSR action plan, which would
then be adopted by businesses, including SMEs. Thus, businesses will become
more empowered to deliver not only economic growth, but also prosperity and
inclusion.

The aims of this project cont.
1) Finding out which businesses have a CSR strategy in place and which CSR initiatives or actions
are priorities for Malta. A further objective will then be of raising more awareness among the
business sector, local government, and civil society on CSR.
2) The research will help in drafting and, then, finalising a National Action Plan on CSR for Malta.
This plan will give guidelines to Maltese businesses on how to become more engaged in their local
communities and on how to become more responsible and sustainable.
3) The National Action Plan will be made available to businesses, especially those that have not yet
set up a CSR strategy and will encourage them to change their behaviour and model to favour a more
responsible sustainable approach.

• MISCO International was commissioned to conduct an awareness exercise that
sought to establish whether businesses across all regions of Malta and in all services
sectors, are implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and
whether there is room for a national action plan.
• The questionnaire, which was designed by MISCO International and signed off by
CORE, sought to elicit responses about the CSR initiatives actioned by local
businesses, the obstacles faced and whether a national guideline would be welcomed.
• One in three businesses are not aware of the term CSR while half of the sample
interviewed admitted that they were not aware of the concept of CSR before hearing
the full definition. In fact, any association with the term, brings to mind the
environment, society and the community and responsibility.
• Nonetheless, once the different facets of CSR were explored, positive actions come to
light. It became clear that actions concerned with the environment and employee
well-being in particular are common in the business community. Moreover, two
thirds of the business community invest in CSR initiatives out of a genuine concern.
• Nevertheless, investing in CSR initiatives does not come without challenges and local
businesses experience a somewhat lack of confidence in the difference that their
efforts may be making. Perhaps it is given this that a national action plan would be
welcomed.

Just over half of businesses were not aware of the full
concept of Corporate Social Responsibility
Awareness of CSR concept
52%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q114. Before hearing this definition of CSR, were you aware that the concept of CSR goes beyond charity, sponsorships and other
similar initiatives?

Only one third of businesses in the sample by MISCO
International Ltd. have an internal policy that
addresses CSR
CSR Policy
31%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q115b. Do you have a policy or philosophy relating to or specifically addressing CSR in your company?

Most businesses are becoming increasingly aware of
their effect on the environment
Recycling/ Reusing
Turning off unused office equipment
Water fountains
Occupancy/ daylight sensors and local light switches
Innovation of eco-friendly technology and practices
Reducing packaging/ plastic products
Good insulation systems
Renewable energy/ efficient systems e.g. PV panels
Eco-friendly infrastructures and offices
Reverse Osmosis
Reducing food and solid waste
90%
69%
58%
49%
35%
25%
22%
22%
21%
20%
19%
None: 1%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q106. What actions, if any, is your company undertaking to protect the environment in its business operations?

The vast majority of businesses look after their
employees by ensuring their well-being
Providing comfortable working conditions
Protecting labour rights
Allowing employees to work flexi hours
Creating safe and secure working environments
Ongoing training
Decent minimum wage policy for employees
Sending employees to workshops, conferences, etc.
Health insurance
Allowing employees to work from home
Quotas (e.g. women in senior positions)
Reducing discrepancies between wages
Food/ meal vouchers
None: 3%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q108. What actions, if any, is your company undertaking to ensure the well-being of its employees?
80%
79%
77%
76%
74%
73%
63%
50%
43%
41%
31%
23%

Nonetheless, when it comes to our local community,
nearly half do not do anything
Collaborations to promote sustainable growth
Balancing community needs and company interests
Supporting organisations that work to protect the
environment
None
31%
26%
25%
44%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q109. Does your organisation do anything within the local community?

Over half of business efforts are conducted out of a
genuine concern
Genuine concern
Brand reputation and publicity
Cost savings
Employee engagement
Social responsibility
66%
19%
8%
8%
7%
Keeping up with competition
6%
None
10%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q112. Why does your organisation implement CSR initiatives?

Nevertheless, a CSR framework does not come without its
challenges
47%
23% 18% 13%
Lack of time Lack of resources Lack of funds Lack of interest
None: 26%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q113b. What obstacles do you face in implementing a CSR business strategy?

Over 80% of the sample believe that a National Action
Plan is required
National Action Plan
85%
Base: All respondents (200)
Q116b. Do you believe that a National Action Plan in the form of a framework, to which businesses all over the country can
adhere to and follow would be useful for your organisation?

CSR in Large Companies
- A number of large businesses have set up Foundations to specifically address CSR in the
company.
- HR as well as PR & Marketing are normally those in charge of the CSR initiatives of the
company.
- Large Companies have understood the benefit of first doing corporate social
responsibility internally and then becoming engaged in corporate CSR.
- Most companies have a fund that is reserved solely for CSR projects.

Examples of CSR in Large Companies
- Leave Bank
- Activities for employees
- Projects with NGOs
- Work on Sustainable Development
- Projects with schools and children
- Projects to help the needy
- Embellishment initiatives and projects to protect Malta’s heritage
- Participating in events like CSR days

Challenges for Large Companies
- Attracting other businesses and participants to certain CSR initiatives and events is very
difficult.
- A number of large companies know of CSR but do not know how to implement a CSR
strategy.
- Whereas some companies have foundations set up, a number of others do CSR without
proper structures in place.
- Sometimes, local authorities hinder the progress of a CSR initiative of a company.

Identifying the priorities for Malta
- The environment
- Infrastructure and Transport
- Migration and a foreign workforce/social inclusion
- Education and youth
- Gender equality, including in our education system

Sustainability of the project
• The National Action Plan is meant to be available to anyone willing to adopt CSR policies within
his/her business model. Therefore, the project will not end in 2019.
• It will set up a framework, to which businesses all over the country can adhere to and follow.
• The National Action Plan will be published and will be disseminated to all the businesses and
localities in Malta.
• In addition to this, the online space will keep on
running after the project end date, which means that
businesses and stakeholders can keep on sharing their
practices and ideas.

The Next Steps
• Will MCESD be willing to support CORE Platform in the creation of this National Action Plan on
CSR, especially from the government side?
• Will MCESD want to take it in its hands to manage the creation and implementation of this Plan?
• Should the National Action Plan on CSR for Malta be a strategy for the next 3 to 5 years or should
it be a yearly plan that is updated annually?

Thank you for your attention