* 1 pinch Desire for new insights & skills
* 1 handful Social-ecological commitment, preferably local & concrete
* 1 shot Corporate culturecharacterized by Participation & commitment
* 1 bunch Networking with organizations oriented towards the common good
* 1 well-filled Database for volunteering opportunities at the location
* Optional: Intermediary organization as an experienced bridge between business & civil society
* Optional: internalr **Corporate Volunteering Coordinatorin** as a driving force
Preparation time: Individually scalable
Results in: Motivated employees, meaningful relationships & sustainable impact
| Corporate volunteering programs help motivate employees, build team spirit, promote community involvement in the immediate environment, and enhance a company's reputation for corporate citizenship. It has long been clear to most companies that investing in corporate social responsibility (CSR) supports their business goals in the long term. So why not introduce a corporate volunteering program where employees can get involved for the common good? Everyone can be involved in the search for local organizations oriented towards the common good: Who already has contacts? Which areas would employees like to get a taste of? |
👩🍳 PREPARATION:
1. Preparation:
Temper the corporate culture towards openness, curiosity and a focus on the common good. Get management on board - ideally by acting as a role model.
2. Simplify partner selection:
Intermediary organizations help to establish contact with suitable non-profit partners, clarify framework conditions and support the collaboration.
➤ An overview of local intermediary organizations is provided by the Bundesverband UPJ e.V. (https://www.upj.de/mittlernetzwerk)
3. database:
Create an overview of local initiatives, NGOs and associations or join existing platforms. Important: good filter options according to skills, time budget & interests.
4. Activate employees:
Make opportunities visible - e.g. via internal communication channels, action days or experience reports. Matchmaking tools or team campaigns encourage participation.
5. Creating free spaces:
Recognize time for commitment as part of working time - e.g. via a fixed number of hours per year or as part of team days.
6. Networking & appreciation:
Regularly create space for exchange between employees and organizations - e.g. through "volunteering meetups" or success stories on the intranet.
7. Reflect & develop further:
Obtain feedback, make the impact visible, document success factors - and continue to spice things up.
🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTION:
Corporate volunteering tastes particularly good when employees are allowed to contribute their own ideas and the activities are in the context of the SDGs. This kind of commitment not only strengthens the team spirit, but also the company's social profile.
Tip: Those who embark on a "date with commitment" often discover more than just new skills - namely meaning, connection and effectiveness.
Have fun cooking!
Anyone who has tried or modified the recipe, feel free to comment!
This recipe is from Pia & Janina from sneep e.V. - student network for ethics in economics and practice