Partnership Guide - Unido

many countries, the business support sector is notoriously
weak. Upgrading a specific segment of the sector can be
an activity in the context of a partnership.
2.6. Civil society organizations
Environmental and social problems cannot be solved from
the top down. They require the involvement of civil society.
From the UNIDO perspective, the most relevant types
of civil society organizations (CSOs) are business organizations
for responsible development, non-governmental
development organizations, trade unions and environmental
groups.
Business organizations for responsible development have
gained prominence in recent years, with the recognition of
the need to reconcile shareholder value with social values
and environmental sustainability. Therefore, they have a
basic interest in partnership projects that promise to contribute
to equitable and sustainable development. Their
Partners — their basic roles, contributions and objectives
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businesslike outlook and contacts in the business community
can be of great value.
Non-governmental development organizations are active
in many countries. Social and environmental issues are
often key elements in their development philosophy, and
therefore they have a similar motivation for joining partnerships
as the organizations for responsible business.
Their contribution will often take the form of training,
advocacy and awareness building.
It is partly due to the pressure of trade unions and environmental
groups that environmental sustainability and
corporate social responsibility have become prominent
issues, and they represent large groups of stakeholders
who otherwise have little influence on the development
process. Trade unions and environmental groups with
strong expertise in their field and a good working relationship
with the business sector can help to ensure the
full inclusion of social and environmental aspects in a
partnership as well as its wide acceptance.
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