Sustainable enterprises
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Sustainable enterprises



The ILO is the only UN body that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting sustainable enterprises. Drawing on the latest thinking on sustainable development, private sector promotion and good corporate citizenship, the ILO’s International Labour Conference in 2007 addressed the imperatives of sustainable development, fair globalization and the role of enterprises. In its Conclusions it set out a programme for and provided guidance on the promotion of sustainable enterprises. The Sustainable Enterprise Programme applies to businesses of all sizes, from micro to multinational, and all types, including cooperatives and social enterprises. The programme is based on three interrelated and mutually supportive pillars:

1. Creating enabling environment

Assisting member countries to assess and where necessary to adapt policies, laws and regulations. The goal is to encourage investment and entrepreneurship that balances the needs and interests of the enterprise – both workers and employers with the broader aspirations of society.

Reform the business environment

  1. Factsheet on reforming the business environment
Fostering future entrepreneurs

  1. Factsheet on fostering future entrepreneurs
The cooperative way of doing business

  1. Factsheet on cooperatives
Boosting local economy

  1. Factsheet on local economic development

2. Entrepreneurship and Business Development

Helping entrepreneurs - including special target groups like youth and women to start and build successful enterprises. The programme supports efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship through training, provision of business development services, access to information, technology and finance, and connecting enterprises to local value chains.

Small Enterprise

  1. Factsheet on entrepreneurship and small enterprise management training
Women's entrepreneurship development

  1. Factsheet on women's entrepreneurship development
Value chain development for more and better jobs

  1. Factsheet on value chain development
The social economy

  1. Factsheet on the social economy
Enterprise and the green economy

  1. Factsheet on the enterprise and the green economy

3. Sustainable and Responsible Workplace

Linking productivity improvements to better working conditions, good industrial relations and good environmental practices. This includes promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining as well as human resource development in order to raise productivity, minimize use of energy and materials, and reduce environmental impacts; for increased wages and shared benefits; and for good corporate governance and responsible business practices.

Responsible global business

  1. Factsheet on responsible global business
Responsible workplace practices

  1. Factsheet on responsible workplace practices

Highlight

  1. 102nd International Labour Conference-Press release

    No sustainable development without environmental sustainability and decent work
    19 June 2013

    The contribution of the world of work to the greening of the economy is critical – and presents a real opportunity – to realize the ILO’s social goals, concludes the ILC Committee on Sustainable Development, Decent Work and Green Jobs.

What's new

  1. Conference

    Sustainable development, decent work and green jobs
    5-20 June 2013

    At its 312th Session (November 2011), the Governing Body placed an item on “sustainable development, decent work and green jobs” on the agenda of the 102nd Session of the International Labour Conference (2013) for general discussion.

  2. News

    New water and energy-efficient, quality and affordable housing on the cards for Zambians
    20 May 2013

    The Zambia Green Jobs Programme announced the winners of two creative design competitions aiming at delivering functional, affordable and new energy-efficient housing

  3. Seminar

    How global enterprises are responding to the global call for the extension of social protection
    14 May 2013

    This one hour webinar will shed light on how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can contribute to this global challenge as part of their commitment to socio economic development, addressing social challenges, and the potential benefits for employers, workers and society.

  4. Article

    Cooperatives today: Challenges and opportunities
    14 May 2013

    A recent seminar organized by the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities and the ILO’s Cooperative Branch brought together researchers and practitioners from around the world to talk about some of the issues and experiences that cooperatives are facing today.

  5. Conference

    International Research Conference
    9 - 10 May 2013

    International experts, researchers and field practitioners are meeting at the ILO to discuss how investing in working conditions, safety and health and training can turn into increased competitiveness and performance and result in a win win scenario for small and medium enterprises in developing and transition economies.

  1. ILChat: Sustainable development, decent work and green jobs

  2. International Year of Cooperatives 2012: Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World

  3. RIO+20: On the scene with the ILO

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