The Global Compact Network Italy (GCNI) was established in 2002 to contribute to the development in Italy of the "Global Compact", a project designed to promote the culture of corporate citizenship launched, in 1999, by the then Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan.

Considering this objective, the Network operates as an information platform, giving support and coordination to Italian companies and organizations which resolve to share, support and employ a whole range of universal principles in matters of human rights, labour, environment and the fight against corruption, thereby contributing to the accomplishment of "a more wide-ranging and sustainable global economy".

In June 2013, the GCNI became legally established as the Global Compact Network Italy Foundation.

Currently, 38 organizations adhere to the Foundation as founders or participants.

Event for the TenP - Sustainable Supply Chain Self-Assessment Platform: dissemination of material. Recognizing the importance that the supply chain plays in contributing to the improvement of sustainability performance and corporate competitiveness, the Global Compact Network Italy Foundation has promoted the creation of a platform aimed at supporting organizations in the collection and sharing of information on their suppliers’ sustainability practices. This was how the TenP – Sustainable Supply Chain Self-Assessment Platform was created, an innovative tool that allows companies to develop a supply chain approach in their strategies and business policies and to address the emerging challenges of sustainability through the development of collective solutions. The TenP Platform presentation event was held on 10th November in Milan at Casa dell’Energia e dell’Ambiente and was attended by many representatives of companies operating in various production sectors and organizations committed to sustainability issues. At the meeting, the companies that had participated actively in the project, described the process of creating the platform and presented the potential associated with the instrument in terms of support for responsible management of supply chains policies. To download materials from the event, click here

The “Environment” Working Group: activities update. The Global Compact Network Italy Foundation’s (GCNI Foundation) "Environment" Working Group met last December 18th in a web-meeting. The meeting, which was also attended by a representative of the Ministry of the Environment, had multiple objectives. First of all the results from the Workshop "Natural capital: accounting and responsibilities of the parties", held on November 5 in Rimini as part of Ecomondo and co-organized by the GCNI Foundation, were shared within the Working Group. Another item on the agenda was the presentation of the EU Platform on Business and Biodiversity to the Group by Marco Frey, coordinator of the activities of the Working Group, and assisted by two researchers from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa. The Platform, whose creation was promoted as part of the 2020 European Strategy for Biodiversity (EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy), is characterized primarily as a tool for the direct interaction between the European Commission and the business sector, also including small and medium-sized firms and all intermediary parties (associations, universities and research centres) working in the field of interest. Finally, two companies that are members of the Working Group, Barilla G. e R. Fratelli and eni S.p.A., presented their corporate testimony on "the management of ecosystem services, and the protection of natural capital and biodiversity." The sharing of the two case studies is part of the course of study and comparative analysis of business practices that the Group is implementing on the issues mentioned above in order to produce new knowledge and offer support to public and private actors involved in the field. For more information on the activities of the Working Group and upcoming appointments, please contact: l.lamberti@globalcompactnetwork.org

International conference "The European Directive on Non-Financial Information" (Rome, 23rd January 2015). In a plenary session on 15th April 2014, the European Parliament adopted the proposed Directive on the transparency of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and sustainability. The document, which provides integration with the provisions on the reporting of the budget in the Directive 2013/34, was later approved by the Council of the European Union in September. In order to inform professionals and practitioners about non-financial reporting on the developments mentioned above and to promote a discussion on the topic, Enel S.p.A., Global Compact Network Italy Foundation and NIBR – Italian Business Reporting Network promoted a conference to present the European Directive. It was held January 23, 2015 in Rome at the Enel Auditorium. The meeting was held with the collaboration of AIIA - Italian Association of Internal Auditors, Altis - High School Business and Society, “Anima” for the social values of enterprise, Angelicum - Pontifical University "St. Thomas Aquinas", Assirevi, CSR Manager Network, Study Group for Social Report (corporate sustainability report), Impronta Etica, Sodalitas, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, University of Ferrara, WICI Europe. In particular, the event provided an opportunity to analytically discuss central aspects related to the introduction and implementation of the European Directive specifically the context and perspectives, internal processes, skills and opportunities. For more information on the outcomes of the conference, please contact: l.lamberti@globalcompactnetwork.org

UN Global Compact Welcome Meeting 2015 (16th February, web-meeting). The Global Compact Network Italy Foundation has organized the ''UN Global Compact Welcome Meeting 2015" for 16th February from 10.00 am to 12.00 a.m. It is open to all the Italian companies and organizations that have joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in the last two years (2013- 2014). The meeting will be held via internet. The meeting will be devoted to a study of the Global Compact as an international initiative on sustainability and corporate responsibility and to the sharing of operational information related to the participation in the UNGC (e.g. Production of Communications on Progress - COPs, use of Global Compact logos, participation in international events, etc.). Finally, at the meeting, the Foundation will present the objectives and program activities for 2015 to the participants. Registration is mandatory. For information and to confirm your attendance, please contact: l.lamberti@globalcompactnetwork.org

The Global Compact Network Italy Foundation presents its program activities for 2015. A meeting promoted by the Global Compact Network Italy Foundation to present its program activities for this year will be held in Rome on 3rd March. Representatives of companies and organizations that subscribe to the Foundation with the status of "Founding Members" and "Participants" or who have shown the intention to evaluate participating in the Italian Network of the Global Compact will be invited to take part in the meeting. In addition to its five active Working Groups, the Foundation will once again present the TenP - Sustainable Supply-Chain Self-Assessment Platform which was launched last November as an innovative tool for the responsible management of the supply chain. Finally, the Foundation will involve those present in a discussion on Sustainable Development Goals that are a priority issue for the United Nations during this year. The details of the meeting will shortly be disclosed.

Global Compact XIII Annual Local Network Forum and UN System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting (June 24-25, New York). The UN System Private Sector Focal Points (PSFP) Meeting and the Annual Local Networks Forum (ALNF) will be convened alongside one another reflecting the Global Compact’s goal to better engage the private sector in taking action in pursuit of UN goals and issues at the country level. Held each year, the PSFP Meeting aims to enhance communication, strengthen learning and improve coordination among UN staff working with the private sector, and the ALNF brings together representatives from Local Networks and companies to share their experiences and network. The Global Compact Network Italy Foundation will take part in the two appointments above sending an its representative delegation. For futher information on the 2015 UNGC events, click here

ANGEL TREE: DONATE THE CHRISTMAS DREAM

For the second year, KPMG organized the “Angel Tree” project, with the aim of involving the colleagues in a solidarity challenge, to grant the wishes of those children, girls and boys who live in some orphanages, managed by associations that KPMG has ‘adopted’ all over Italy. The initial idea come from a young KPMG colleague and it immediately contaminated more than 1,000 people in the 19 KPMG offices which adhered to the initiative. In November 2014, the children, boys and girls involved in the initiative, wrote their letters to Santa Claus, and all these letters were hanged on the Christmas Trees hosted in the KPMG offices. KPMG people picked the letters and bought the gifts which were donated to the guests of the orphanages.  526 letters were granted and more than 600 presents (and we hope also smiles!) were donated. This initiative proves the huge sensitivity of KPMG people to be committed in the communities with tangible actions. The orphanages that KPMG supported are: SOS Villaggi dei Bambini, Villaggio Mafalda (Bologna), Casa San Felice e Casa Santa Lucia (Firenze), Casa di accoglienza San Vincenzo e Associazione Alle querce di Mamre (Perugia), Casa Esperanza (Pescara), Cooperativa Un Sorriso (Roma), Casa Federico II di Savoia (Catania e Palermo), Casa Oikos (Ancona), Casa di Tonia (Napoli). For any further information, please contact the KPMG Italian CR Team: IT-FMCR@kpmg.it

M’ILLUMINO CA’ FOSCARI AND CALL FOR SHORT&SUSTAINABILITY

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice will join at the energy saving campaign promoted by Radio Caterpiller that will be held on 13th February 2015. University will turn off the lights of the main site of Ca’ Foscari and professors are invited to do 15 minutes of candle light lesson turning off lights and appliances: this is a symbolic action to sensitize students on topics of sustainability and energy consumptions. In the same day Ca’ Foscari will organize a conference titled “Meno e Meglio – Efficienza energetica e risparmio a Ca’ Foscari” (Less and better – Energy efficiency and saving at Ca’ Foscari) on the topic of energy consumption rationalization in university. The event is open to the whole community and it will be held at Palazzo Foscari. For further information on M’illumino Ca’ Foscari please visit the web page. In March the video-contest Short&Sustainability will be held during the 5th edition of Ca’ Foscari Short Film Festival. To participate is required to be under 35 years old and the realization of a video with the duration of 5 minutes on the theme of sustainability. Participants must rethink the concept of sustainability in a creative and originality way, for instance dealing with sustainable development and social welfare. A selection of the videos will be showed during the Ca’ Foscari Short Film Festival (18-21 March 2015) and the winner will received a prize with a value of 300€. For more information please visit the webpage of the contest

STARTING NOW: EDISON PULSE FOR ITALY’S MOST INNOVATIVE IDEAS

Edison is launching Edison Pulse, the contest that rewards the best ideas with regards to the development of the territory, i.e. solutions for the mitigation of environmental impacts and for socio-cultural activities in the energy chain and making the most of opportunities created and generated by them in the area through virtuous networks. Ed Energy: studies and design solutions to promote the access and management of new forms of production, the storage and consumption of energy and good sustainability practices for those territories and production districts that are still lacking them. Candidates may submit their projects via the www.edisonpulse.it platform by  1st February 2015. To facilitate the development of the projects, Edison will offer the finalists and winners advice and support from a dedicated team of company managers, academics and representatives from the institutions. Edison will finance the best initiatives in each category with € 100,000, up to a total of € 200,000. The competition is open to research centres, innovative start-ups and non-profit organizations with relevant experience in the field of interest and proposals must address areas within the Italy.

A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER MATRIX TO FIGHT AGAINST ENERGY POVERTY

During the second international meeting of the Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Foundation (FGF) -"Four Ways to Feed the Planet. Isa different future possible starting from Milan Expo 2015?", Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) presented the publication" Global Challenges, Integrated Solutions. A Cooperation Matrix Energy Against Poverty", drafted thanks to the collaboration between FEEM, FGF, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Politecnico di Milano. The publication offers a series of guidelines which intend support all the actors involved in process of improving access to energy in the identification of integrated and sustainable energy poverty solutions by adopting a multi-stakeholder approach. The contributions and proposals presented by the experts during the workshop "Energy Poverty and Energy Access: Global Challenges and Goals" organized by FEEM and Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Foundation in collaboration with eni and Expo 2015 between July the 10th and the 11th 2014, were examined and taken as a the starting point of the whole drafting process.

ECO IN CITTÀ: THE GUIDES OF ROME AND MILAN DEDICATED TO THE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE

The third editions Guides of Rome and Milan are rich of places, ideas and suggestions for those who want to follow a sustainable lifestyle: real “useful green pages” to a growing demand. The capital is getting a makeover thanks to the opening of the bioprofumerie (organic perfumery), while Milan is confirmed leader of alternative mobility. Among the curiosities a whole section dedicated to eco-moms and to environmentalist baby. A census that, besides witnessing great interest in ecology, you will permit discover some 1,200 reality including: 140 green areas, 130 organic, vegetarian and vegan bars and restaurants, including 115 eco-shops, markets and business outlets bio, 25 fair trade shops, including 40 markets and exercises where to buy used clothing, 25 sites dedicated to clothing and accessories, 30 shops for furniture, 25 educational farms, 15 new organic perfumery, 15 bookshops for children and even bikeway, car sharing, home shopping. The two publications, edited and promoted by Pentapolis Onlus, are enriched from the preface of the Minister of Environment Gian Luca Galletti and thematic interventions by prestigious names, like Donatella Bianchi, Antonio Cianciullo, Mario Cucinella, Marco Frey, Tessa Gelisio, Luca Mercalli, Giuseppe Onufrio, Fulco Pratesi, Edo Ronchi, Mario Tozzi. Eco in città is a practical and immediate handbook to live better, respecting the environment; it is also online, www.ecoincitta.it: green agency on the town with daily updates. Eco in città books are on sale in bookshops and ecostores at the single price of € 9.90.

SALINI IMPREGILO’S NEW SUSTAINABILITY POLICY GOES LIVE

Salini Impregilo adopts a new Sustainability Policy. The Group continues its path for the sustainable development, renewing its commitment and launching at the same time new challenges and objectives. The new Policy sets 10 principles starting from ethics and responsibility and going through, among others, sustainable growth, shared development, employees and supply chain development, local development and environmental protection. A handbook of 10 points that represents a solid base of Salini Impregilo’s daily and strategic acts towards its stakeholders. Download here the new Sustainability Policy http://www.salini-impregilo.com/static/upload/sus/sustainability-policy.pdf

DEPLOY YOUR TALENTS: THE LAUNCH OF THE 2ND  ITALIAN EDITION OF THE PROGRAM, BY FONDAZIONE SODALITAS

Reviving the study of Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) disciplines and overcome gender stereotypes building effective partnerships among companies and schools: this is the main objective of the program Deploy your Talents - Stepping up the STEM agenda for Europe, promoted at European level by CSR Europe and run in Italy by Fondazione Sodalitas. From February to May 2014, professionals of 7 large Companies led more than 200 students of seven Secondary Schools of Milan and its provinces through a  path of classroom lectures and company visits during which the students were able to share the skills required by the job market and collect useful suggestions and tips to address their study and career choices. Fondazione Sodalitas in February will launch the 2nd edition of this successful program. 10 Companies and 10 schools already confirmed their participation to the initiative.

DECO INDUSTRIE VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Deco Industrie is a cooperative production company founded in 1951 in Lugo (RA), which holds three factories in the provinces of Ravenna, Forlì and Ferrara for the production and distribution of food (bakery products), detergents for laundry and cleaning the house. One of the main aspiration of the founders which is transmitted today is to contribute to the development of the local community, maintaining the environment in which it is immersed in an ethical and social environment. For this, one of the objectives of the company is to have a strong social responsibility, that combines the economic, environment and social values. A priority to Deco Industrie is the need to invest in a systematic way of projects, facilities, information technology, human resources, to strengthen the growth and the role of producer, reliable supplier of large customers of large retail and Italian food industry. Identify, develop and provide regular, safe products and quality services that meet the needs of consumers and the requirements of major customers and ensure the jobs of working members, respecting the environment and the law. The industry can’t ignore the environment, this is the reason why Deco has always invested in research and development of environmentally sustainable products, recycling containers, in the creation of dishwashing detergents branded Eco Label, label eco-European, which ensures high performance and low environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the product, for example. Consider also that the plant in Bagnacavallo are produced from recycled plastic bottles since 1986. Deco Industrie is also joining the voluntary programs of AISE which represents 36 national associations of industry detergency, to reduce the consumption of resources and more efficient use of detergents. Even in 2013 the indicators Deco also monitored by independent third parties indicate a better use of resources (water, energy, CO2, etc.). Add to this, the fact that every year Deco Industrie participates in competitions on innovation sustainable, getting awards especially for the use of recycled plastic in bottles of detergent, new solutions for secondary packaging, studies of Life Cycle Analysis.