Background

As set out in its  Decent Work Agenda, the EU emphasises the social dimension of globalisation. It aims at promoting decent work for all in accordance with ILO strategies, UN human rights conventions (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), the Council of Europe Conventions and the Millennium Development Goals.

Objective

The LARRGE project develops a methodology for monitoring and assessing the level of excellence achieved in European CSR practices. It analyses CSR tools from a human rights perspective with a special focus on the implementation of fundamental working and social standards.

Output

The project will bring about a comprehensive LARRGE Guide giving a sound overview and detailed description of the existing CSR instruments and consulting tools targeting work related human rights applied in the European Union. The desk research is contrasted with the practical experiences of CSR tool developing institutions, CSR networks, businesses and other stakeholders. To this aim, a two day Working Conference is held in Vienna in September 2009.

 

To ensure practicability and flexibility for the user, the LARRGE Guide  allows for a use according to different sectors of activity, company size or other issues of concern. It indicates the most adequate tool according to the needs and  situation of a company (size, sector, supply chain, etc.). In addition, the project team elaborates general guidelines on how to best ensure the implementation of work related human rights in companies.

 

Both, the LARRGE Guide and the decent work Guidelines will be available on this website, which lays the groundwork for enhanced dialogue between all stakeholders. Companies are given the opportunity to give feedback to tool developing institutions, which will thereby receive relevant information to optimise their tools according to the needs of the users.

 

The initiatives advanced by LARRGE benefit the further development of CSR tools and initiatives in general, and of those with a work related human rights focus in particular. The results provide a knowledge base for future policy measures both inside and outside the European Union.