The project "Development of Cooperation between Business and Public Organizations in Volyn Oblast" was presented in Lutsk

How to encourage the private sector to solve social problems and improve cooperation between business and public organizations – these and other issues were discussed at the presentation of the project "Development of Cooperation between Business and Public Organizations in the Volyn Region" by the Volyn Youth Rights Protection Association, within the framework of the project "The Will of the Community is a Mighty Force!", implemented by ISAR "Yednannia" with funding from the United States Agency for International Development.

One of the main sources of support for projects and events of public organizations is business. This practice of assistance is widespread in developed countries of the world and is only being adapted to Ukrainian realities. Thus, there is a need to clearly define the mechanisms of cooperation between public organizations and business. For this purpose, the definition of "social responsibility of business"* has been adopted.

Social responsibility of business is an integral part of a successful business strategy that strengthens the company's image and reputation. It is believed that how companies treat the environment, their employees, and how they invest in communities – directly affects sales, brand recognition of the company, and staff turnover. Among the mechanisms of social responsibility are, for example, adherence to environmental and ethical principles in the production of goods and provision of services, care for employees, protection of human rights, and investment in community development.

Participants in the project presentation included: Anton Kryvytskyi, Lutsk City Mayor, Mykola Ivaniuk, Executive Director of the Volyn Youth Rights Protection Association, Yurii Antsukh, Head of the Volyn Regional Union of Entrepreneurs and Industrialists, Anatolii Nosaliuk, Head of the Association for the Protection of Rights of Small and Medium Business "Business-Lutsk.

Mykola Ivaniuk, Executive Director of the Volyn Youth Rights Protection Association, noted that out of more than 800 public organizations, up to 10 percent are effective from this list, and only 3-4 percent have positive experience of cooperation with business. All cooperation between NGOs and commercial structures, as a rule, is situational in nature and aimed at supporting one-time events (concerts, competitions, tourist trips).

The reasons for this are, firstly, the lack of understanding of the concept of "social responsibility of business" as such, secondly, businesses' unawareness of the activities and significance of NGOs, thirdly, the lack of activity of intersectoral coalitions to address the social needs of the community, fourthly, the low awareness of the public about corporate sponsorship and charity.

The project "Development of Cooperation between Business and Public Organizations in the Volyn Region" aims to: hold round tables, training seminars "Establishing Cooperation between NGOs and Business" for representatives of public organizations of Volyn, create thematic sections in the newspaper for NGOs "Initsiatyva" and in its electronic version www.iniciativa.com.ua, and publish a brochure "Social Responsibility of Business: The Volyn Experience." At the conclusion of the project, it is planned to hold a forum with the participation of representatives of business and public organizations in Lutsk and to sign a Charter on cooperation between business and the third sector of Volyn.

The organizers of the project hope that the development of social responsibility of business will become an important step toward creating social solidarity in the country.

* Social responsibility of business – is a term used to define the obligations of private companies to be accountable to all socially interested parties for their activities not only in the economic but also in the social and environmental spheres, with the goal of implementing the principles of sustainable development.

* Social responsibility of business – is the theory and practice of conducting business that contributes to the growth of the positive impact of business activity on public life.

* Social responsibility of business – is an approach through which the integration of economic, environmental, and social imperatives is achieved, which are relevant today and take into account the potential needs of future generations.

* According to the generally accepted definition, social responsibility of business – is a set of values that a company adheres to in order to have a positive and productive impact on the development of society.