Rhetoric And Realities: Analysing Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe (RARE)
The RARE project that has now been concluded aimed to make a substantial contribution to the development of a European approach to CSR. It sought to improve the understanding of the effectiveness of CSR as a policy instrument and how CSR can in practice benefit sustainable development in the EU.
The RARE project was carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of 16 researchers, scientists and consultants from seven leading research institutions from across the EU.
The project programme included:
Understanding and researching CSR
Developing a CSR Impact Assessment tool
Analysing and researching CSR in four sustainable development areas: environmental protection (climate and chemicals policies), resource management, gender equality and countering bribery
Surveying CSR in three business sectors: the oil industry, the banking sector and the fisheries and fish processing industries
Researching and developing in-depth case studies on CSR impact
Carrying out an SME study
Assessing the political and public policy dimensions of CSR