FINDINGS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON ETHICAL FINANCE, FAIR TRADE AND RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

DCIII –DCS (2004) 09

FINDINGS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON ETHICAL FINANCE, FAIR TRADE AND

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

ALBANIA, ARMENIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, CROATIA, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, IRELAND, ITALY, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, MOLDOVA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TURKEY, UNITED KINGDOM [bold: answers from State Ministries (23 countries)] [cursive: information from networks and internet (7 countries)]

Council of Europe DG III, Social Cohesion Development Division

ALBANIA

Activities Legislation Organisations FAIR TRADE

Fair trade initiatives of Oxfam

FAIR TRADE: Oxfam: Fair trade initiatives in Tirana, [email protected]

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION: Organic Agriculture Association Albanian Permaculture Association

ARMENIA

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE “Armenian Habitat” (member of Habitat

International): financial assistence for housing (e.g. to finish the construction of a house or to buy an appartment) - micro credits and credits without interests for long term - 20/25 years) “World Vision Armenia”: projects for sustainable

development for 2 regions in Armenia (Shirak and Tavush) – micro-credits (with high interests) for the creation or assistence of small family-enterprises, humanitarian assistence “GTZ (German Technical Assistance): projects of

development in the region Tavush – humanitarian assistence, projects of assistence for agriculture, development of irrigation systems (infrastructure), micro credits for the creation or assistence of small businesses “UMCOR”: humanitarian assistance, microcredits

for agriculture and for the creation, assistence of small enterprises

other initiatives in ethical finance sector GENERAL

Between the government and different NGOs (more than 100 NGOs are integrated in the consultative organ “Social League”) on questions e.g. of public welfare or questions of development

GENERAL Law of the Republic Armenia for non governmental

organisations Law of the Republic of Armenia for furtherances

Through these laws certain organisations who are engaged with humanitarian projects (projects of development count as humanitarian or furtherances projects, because they do not allow profit) are supported by the state. These organisations do not pay certain types of taxes. For example : Valued added tax -VAT (20% of the price of the products) and customs tax (10% of the price of the products, which are exported or imported). Law of the Republic of Armenia concerning the rights

of consumers Law of the Republic of Armenia for trade unions and

syndicats

GENERAL

International organisations, for example with regard to development Armenian agency of development

Governmental organisations (Government of the Republic

of Armenia with all its ministeries) Non-governmental organisations with humanitarian

objectives Local foundations with humanitarian objectives

Commission of furtherances projects (at the government of

Armenia) Different syndicats

Association of the right of consumers

Association of producers

Other different associations

AUSTRIA

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE

ÖGUT (Platform “Ethical-ecological funds, supported by the life ministry), service function in the field of ethical financing

Development of a Index for sustainability: ATX EASEY, Project “Fabrik der Zukunft”

Voluntary Certification from OEGUT for pension funds, who invest sustainable (3 of 9 pension funds received it)

More then ½ of employee severance pay and pension funds are comitted to ethical investment

Oeko-Invest Verlag, publishes information concerning ethical-ecological investments, [email protected]

Rating Agencies FAIR TRADE

Campaigns: Austrian Development Co-operation promoted Fair Trade in the context of two public TV and poster campaigns in 2001 and 2002.

Subsidies and grants: - Since 1979 the Austrian Development Co-operation has funded a number of NGO initiatives in the field of fair trade and responsible consumption. - Since 2000 the Austrian Development Co-operation has funded a large-scale fair trade marketing initiative (funding: 2001-2003 EUR 720.000,-). A decision on the continuation of funding as of 2004 – 2006 is still under positive consideration.

Further activities: Austrian Development Co-operation plans to further support public and private fair trade campaigns and initiatives.

Federal Chancellor’s Offices, office of the President, Ministry of Interior, Foreign ministry, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Ministry of Social Security and Generations and Consumer Protection, Finance Ministry, three parties of four in the Parliament, consume fair trade products (coffee, tea..). The Federal State government of Upper Austria has decided to offer at all presentations and receptions fair traded coffee (Darboven-coffee with the seal of approval of fair trade).

Consumer protection award of the Café Organico (best selling fair trade product) by the regional government of Salzburg

In the field of fair trade a workshop, where representatives of public institutions and NGOs met for an exchange of information, took place last on 30 March 2003 (see www.komment.at).

Austria picked fair trade out as a central theme in the EU (e.g. Cotonou Convention)

Concepts for the implementation of a fair local procurement (Municipality Villach, Play school Villach), [email protected]

ETHICAL FINANCE • Strategy for sustainable development: envisages to support the sector • No Pension Disclosure Regulations e.g. in the BMVG or in company or private pension schemes (Proposal of platform OEGUT exists nevertheless) • Guidelines for “green funds” to receive the “Austrian Umweltzeichen”- Label (BMU) • OEGUT-Standard for declarations and reports concerning sustainability • Legislation related to SRI is quite unfavourable as far as sustainable investment is concerned. Certification regulations form a severe obstacle to companies offering direct investments e.g. in wind power projects. FAIR TRADE Resolution of Austrian Parliament

(Nov. 2000): promotion of fair trade as part of the Austrian development policy; Fair Trade products may be allocated out of public money. Various resolutions of regional

parliaments in favour of fair trade (Vorarlberg, Styria, Salzburg, Upper and Lower Austria, Vienna) Report of the Austrian Government

concerning the promotion of “fair trade” Federal Allocation Law (July 2002)

When allocating goods out of public money, socio-political concerns may be taken into consideration. Expert opinion concerning the

introduction of fair trade products into public procurement

ETHICAL FINANCE

Grünes Geld: information about offers of green money (shares, investment funds, loans, life insurances, saving forms); www.gruenesgeld.at; [email protected]; +43-1-315-63-93-20 Oikocredit Austria: ethical investment of reserves and savings;

promotion of economic independence of disadvantaged people; www.oikocredit.org; ÖGUT platform: [email protected], Vienna Austrian Life Ministry, Service function; ÖGUT-platform “Ethical-

ecological funds”; brochure “Added value – ecological investment”; www.lebensministerium.at Interessenverband fuer Anleger, Verein fuer

Konsumenteninformation, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank P&F Portfolio- und Finanzmanagement GmbH, Info AG

FAIR TRADE

Fair Trade: 1993; labelling initiative; PR and marketing initiatives; member of FLO; www.fairtrade.at; [email protected] Fair Trade Forum- Arge Weltläden: 1982; co-ordination of

about 82 world shops („Weltladen“, „Eine -Welt-Laden“); service function; awareness raising and marketing initiatives; international co-operation; www.weltlaeden.at, http://members.aon.at/weltlaeden; [email protected] Eine-Welt-Handel, www.eine-welt-handel.com, eine-welt-

[email protected] ; TransFair Austria – www.transfair.or.at, [email protected] EZA-Zusammenarbeit mit der Dritten Welt GesmbH: import,

marketing and distribution of fair trade products; www.eza3welt.at; [email protected] Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Development Co-

operation), Public information and awareness raising; co-ordination with other public institutions; www.aussenministerium.at, [email protected] KommEnt, www.komment.at; funding and monitoring of NGO

initiatives


The Federal Chamber of Labour will continue its service function for consumers’ interests

Label “Gentechnikfrei erzeugt”: for food products which are free of genetically modified substances, www.gentechnikfrei.at

Criteria catalogue for environmentally friendly procurement to serve as a detailed guide for both public and private purchasers, www.oekoeinkauf.at

Concepts for the implementation of a fair local procurement (Municipality Villach, Play school Villach), [email protected]

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Public Ecolabel for environmentally-

friendly products, www.umweltzeichen.at Motion for a resolution: against

genetically modified organisms (Antrag 373/A(E); Auschussbericht 535 d.B.) National Strategy on Sustainable

Development (30/4/02): Committee for Sustainable Austria, Committee of provincial sustainability co-ordinators, Forum for Sustainable Austria Development Co-operation Law

(Feb. 2002), Promotion of sustainable economy (§1/3)


CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility: balance of economy, ecology and the social affairs; sustainable forms of production and consumption; Contact: www.csr-austria.at; [email protected] Clean Clothes: information about ways of production in the

global textile sector; urgent actions; international campaigning for social standards; www.oneworld.at/cck; [email protected]; Respect: information on and promotion of responsible tourism

and eco-tourism in developing countries; Contact: www.respect.at; [email protected]; Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, service and controlling

function; information about production issues, products groups and products; www.konsumentenschutz.at Suedwind Agentur: www.suedwind-agentur.at,

[email protected], label for handmade carpets (fair working conditions, no abuse of child-labor, ecological production).

BELGIUM

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE government Walloon Region: has created a financial

association of social trading economy, SOWECSOM, in 1996 in order to take part and provide loans with an advantageous rate; Brussel Region: has created in 2001 similar a financial society, BRUSOC, which offers micro-credits for individual persons and capital for enterprises with a social purpose; Flamande Region: has participated in 2001 in the creation of a capital-risque society for social economy next to privat shareholders and associations; finally, at federal level Belgium government: Participation Fund “fund for social and sustainable economy” (micro-credits and credits for persons without works at avantageous conditions), fund for social and sustainable economy with 75 mill. € , offering a garanty and a fiscal advantage (til 250 € per person); Mr Wasseige (+32-81 240132) different ethical products: Savings ”Cigale” (Banque Fortis

– Cfr RFA), Savings “Dynamo” (Triodos), “Sicav Dexia sustainable” (Cfr Crédal and Hefboom) A group which includes persons of different initiatives of

ethical finance in Belgium will be existent in a more formal way in the near future 25 responsible funds (20 since 1998), negative and

positive screening; broad spectrum of issues (ethics, social, environmental, sustainable development, democracy) Socially Responsible Investment Funds Label

“ETHIBEL” (private) FAIR TRADE • Co-Financing of the project of a survey of EFTA (2/2001) by the EC, DG Development with the objective to provide a comprehensive up-to-date picture of Fair Trade activities in Europe. • Belgian Parliament, several Ministries and other public authorities have introduced Fair Trade coffee and tea into their canteens • Many public authorities are engaged to support fair trade: many muncipalities like d’Anvers, Bruxelles, Gand, Marche-en-Famenne, Schaerbeek, Flobecq, Visé, Ottignies-LLN, Charleroi; the Flemish Community, Walloon Region, the Senat and the chamber, the Brussel Parliament, different ministeries, the Belgian king Albert II and the queen Paola • Official financial support for fair trade by the national authorities (e.g. sensibilisation campaigns)

ETHICAL FINANCE • Law for Pension Funds, chapter VIII/Art.42, 47 (13/3/2003): obligatory annual report: pension funds are required by law to disclose their ethical, social and environmental investment policy. • Law of the 8 April 2003: enables the creation of funds of social and sustainable economy • Regulations concerning the ethical screening of investments • Plans for fiscal regulations on green investments: in discussion • Investment fund for the social economy sector (75 Mio. €) FAIR TRADE • National Strategic Note for the support of fair trade • Resolutions (Region Brussel and local municipalities) for the consumption of fair trade products • National Plan for Sustainable Development 2002-04 (contains concept of Fair Trade)

ETHICAL FINANCE

FEBEA: Europ. Federation of Ethical and Alternative banks and financiers, www.febea.org, [email protected]; Crédal SC, Mr Michel Genet, www.credal.be, [email protected]; SOWECSOM, Mr Michel Colpé, Namur, [email protected]; Réseau Financement Alternatif (RFA), A. Hélène Lulling, Namur, [email protected], [email protected], +32 81711571, provides regularly updated information on funds, as well as on ethical savings and social and co-operative finance institutions ; Hefboom, Mr Dirk Dalle, www.hefboom.be, [email protected]; PIVOT, Mr André Baguette, Dison; L’Aube, Marcel Paris, Liége; Les Ecus Balladeurs, Ms Diana Cavallero, Ottignies; rating agency Ethibel: screens third generation funds and grants a quality label to those that meet their criteria (since 1992), [email protected], +32 22061111 Netwerk Vlaanderen, Ms Kristin Vermeersch, Bruxelles, network@knooppunt;

[email protected] Banque Triodos, managing money in a social conscious way, Mr Olivier

Marquet, Bruxelles, [email protected], www.triodos.be Carolidaire, Charleroi, 071/20.29.41; Cogep SC, Seraing, Tel. 04/385.95.25 Oberservation of credits and of encumbrance; www.observatoire-credit.be Services of mediation of debts

FAIR TRADE

EFTA: European Fair Trade Association – www.eftafairtrade.org, [email protected] Max Havelaar – www.maxhavelaar.be ; Centre Fair Trade: www.commerce-

equitable.be; www.koopfairtrade.be; Oxfam Fair Trade: www.madeindignity.be, www.oww.be; Miel Maya: www.maya.be; Banana Action Net: http://bananas.agoranet.be; Magasins du Monde - www.mdmoxfam.be; Oxfam Wereldwinkels – www.oww.be International Federation of Fair Trade: http://www.ifat.org; New Internationalist:

http://newint.org; FLO: http://www.fairtrade.net International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development,

http://www.ictsd.org

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • subsidies of the Minister of Agriculture of Flamand for one year for the organisation, structure of Voedselteams • no direct government support of CSA but farmers adopting the model receive indirect support in the form of training through 3 Non-governmental agencies 1 organisation in each of the 8 Flemish provinces promotes Food Teams. A number of these are adult education centres (3-4 meetings) • Food Teams want to form a national co-ordinating body in order to reach government support GENERAL • regular dialog between governmental institutions/ different initiatives; project: technical assistance for social economy enterprises to know better the reglementation of public markets; insertion initiatives (programme SINE); state fund to stimulate the developement of proximate services • Government organised in November 2001 a conference for CSR to ascertain how governments at national level could encorugage global adoption of CSR strategies

RESPONSIBEL CONSUMPTION • Law concerning the social label, 27/2/2002: products which have been produced under certain conditions (ILO) • Public Procurement Law : insertion of social and environmental clauses (9/11/2001 basic accord of the Council of Ministers) • Law project: Prohibition of deceiving advertising with regard to social conditions of production • Federal Plan for sustainable development 2002-2004 • Website of the State Secretary of Energy and Sustainable Development: www.guidedesachatsdurables.be: has the statut of a circular letter, is for the orientation of public administrations to buy products which have been produced under social and environmental conditions • Subvention for CPAS (Centre Publics d’aide Sociale), Art. 60, § 7 Law (8 July 1976) CPAS: encourages socio-professional insertion GENERAL • Subventions for pilot projects and innovative experiences in the sector of social economy

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION VOEDSELTEAMS (Foodteams): 100 farmers with different group of consumers,

http://www.voedselteams.be, [email protected], [email protected] VREDESEILANDEN: Belgian, independent, pluralistic NGO for development

cooperation, specialized in food security; [email protected], www.vredeseilanden.org ULB (free university of Brussel): http://www.ulb.ac.be, Mr Ecwin ZACCAI, Ms

Ariane Godeau CRIOC: center of research and information of the organisations of consumers,

www.oivo-crioc.org, [email protected] More than 100 consumer schools (e.g. Charleroi – Tel: +32 71 208340) REAJC: network association of young consumers; www.reajc.be responsible consumer network: www.rcr.be Federal Ministry for social integration and social economy (Interministerial

working group on ethical clauses for the public market)

GENERAL Réseau Idées: [email protected], Brussel (environmental education); IEW: www.iewonline.be (environment); SOS Faim, www.sosfaim.be; Terre, www.terre.be; CNCD (Centre National de Coopération au Développement, 11.11.11),

http://www.11.be/cncd.htm; ACODEV, association for development, www.acodev.be; Federal Ministry for social integration and social economy (Working group on the

social responsibility of enterprises); Federal Council for social economy: represents the sector of social economy for

the federal state

BULGARIA

Activities Legislation Organisations GENERAL

Different programmes of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy to overcome social inclusion and to integrate the vulnerable groups such as: - social benefits - targeted social protection for low wages people heating - assistance for families with children - protection of children through a transition from institutional to family environment cares - integration of people with disabilities - re-socialisation of other vulnerable groups - measures for disadvantaged groups on the labour market regular meetings between

government/networks concerning the Safety and Health at Work Act


Legislation in the organic agriculture sector - Ordinance Nr 22: Organic Production of Plants, Plant products and foodstuffs of plant origin - Ordinance Nr 35: Organic production of livestock, livestock products and foodstuffs of animal origin www.mzgar.government.BG/MZ_eng/default.asp Draft Agro-ecological Programme: provides financial advantages for

agriculture producers in order to encourage them to keep applying agricultural practices aiming the preservation of the environment- National Agriculture and Rural Development Plan:

www.mzgar.government.bg/MZ_eng/officialdocuments/programs/programs.htm - Draft Rules on Best Agriculture Practices: shall be obligatory for implementation by all the participants in the National Agriculture and Rural Development Plan GENERAL 2001 Social Investment Fund Act - to support projects, programmes

included in the National Plan for Economic and regional development 2003 Social Investment and Employment Promotion Project (finance of

micro-projects, municipal infrastructure, employment of vulnerable groups) Labour legislation (safety and health of workers) 2003 National Strategy for fighting against Poverty and Social Inclusion for

the period 2003-2006 (Council of Ministers): general objective is poverty decrease and prevention of the risk for social exclusion 2003 National Employment Strategy for the period 2004-2010 (Council of

ministers): based on the European Employment Strategy objectives National Strategy for the Encouragement of Small and Medium-sized

Enterprises for the period 2002-2006 (development of SME sector): e.g. Art. 25; (www.asme.bg/en/legal/sme_law.htm -Act) Act on the Safety and Health at Work (2003): projects worked out by

enterprises supported by the state Bill on Disabled People Integration (Sept 2003 Council of Ministers):

advantages for employers which create favorable conditions for disable people at the work place - import of motor vehicles by people with disabilities: free of landing charges, no subject of levying of value added tax - financial support to the child and the family for the purposes of prevention, reintegration and child’s growing up by relatives or adoptive families - fiscal advantages, if social orientation Art. 41, Art. 49, Art. 59 Valued Added Tax Act Art. 23 of the Corporate Income Tax Act Art. 28 Personal Income Tax Act

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Agroecological Programme – Ministry of Agriculture and

Forestry – [email protected] The Consumers’ Federation in Bulgaria ([email protected]) The National Associat. for Consumer’ Information and

Counseling ([email protected]) Bulgarian Academy of Consumers ([email protected]) Labour Conditions, Management of Crises and Alternative

National Service Directorate (MLSP) General Labour Inspectorate to the MLSP

([email protected]) Ministry of Environment and Waters Ministry of Agriculture and Forests: sustainable

agriculture development in compliance with the best ecological practices ([email protected]) Bulgarian Association of alternatif tourism Bulgarina Association of Rural and Eco Tourism Ministry of Agricultrue and Forestry collaborates in the

frame of the National Agro-Ecological Plan with the following public authorities and NGOs: Ministry of Environment and Water; Ecopharm Association; The Swiss-Bulgarian Programme on Biodiversity Preservation – BSNCP; The Natural Park Vitosha Directorate; The World Wildlife Fund – WWF; Bulgarian Association for Bird Protection; The bioagriculture Foundation-Bioselena; The Agrolink Association, etc. GENERAL

Social Protection Policy and Strategy Directorate (Ministry of Labour and Social Policy=MLSP) Labour Market Policy Directorate (MLSP) Pre-accession Funds and International Programmes and

Projects Directorate (MLSP) Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies-

BARDA ([email protected]) Тhe National Association of the Small and Little Business

([email protected]); Firm Level Assistance Group ([email protected]) The Union for Private Enterprise (e-mail:[email protected]) Innovation relay center –Bulgaria ([email protected]) Employment through Business Support Project –JOBS

([email protected]) The EBRD Business Advisory Development (BAS)

Programme ([email protected]) Social Investment Fund to the Minister of Labour and Social

Policy ([email protected]) Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Agency

([email protected])

CROATIA

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE MikroPlus microfinance programme:

- US based NGO, started operating under the auspices of Catholic Relief Services, serving approximately 2,200 clients (micro entrepreneurs) primarily in the areas of special state concern - local financial institution in the form of a savings and loan cooperative (SLC). Savings and loan cooperatives are member based institutions that can provide services to their members only. - Current legislation allows to SLCs to receive donations from international donors and organisations to further the cooperative activities. - work with a large number of clients through an inappropriate type of institution presents a governance challenge. - The micro credit NGO law (created by the working group organised by MikroPlus) would allow for two types of advantages in Croatia: (1) clients could receive services from MFIs, and would not need to be bothered with institution building they have no interest in, and (2) MFI NGO could receive donations to enlarge its loan fund, would fall under a different type of taxation rules, thus enlarging the amount available for work with poor clients. - Mission of the organisation is to improve levels of economic and social justice in Croatia by providing access to appropriate financial services to micro entrepreneurs, through a local sustainable MFI.

ETHICAL FINANCE Draft: Microfinance legal framework

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public environmentally-friendly label with regard to the environmental performance of products

ETHICAL FINANCE Microfinance Institutions

CZECH REPUBLIC


Cooperatives with different activities: employment of handicapped and vulnerable people

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Ministry of Agriculture Programme “Ecological agriculture – propagation and diffusion”:

to spread ecological reports, to take part in environment protection and participate directly Programme “Ecological Alternatives”: to promote economy of

energy, sources of alternative energy and reduction of the emission of carbon dioxide GENERAL Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs support for small and medium companies (though the Department of

labour service) financial support to create new “social jobs” support for cooperatives and companies with regard to the employment

of handicapped people through: tax reduction concerning revenue; allocations for companies, which employ 50% of handicapped persons; investment grants for e.g. machines, buildings; allocations for employment creation and for the protection of work stations; allocations for protected sheltered workshops Ministry for Regional Development supports the housing of vulnerable groups: “Support Programme for

housing construction” for persons with limited incomes; “Programme for grant-aided housing construction” Ministry of Environment National Programme of labelled ecological products (1993) through

the agency for ecological products, which is settled at the Czech Ecological Institute State Funds for environment created by low 388/1991: support for

the following programmes for example: water protection programmes, atmosphere protection programmes, nature and landscape protection programmes, waste management , programme for the formation and promotion of environment, programme for restructuring inundated territories in 2002, projects for renewable energy sources Council for sustainable development and a working group for

sustainable development at the Ministry of Environment


The government adopted a law concerning the support of the development of sales and the utilisation of ecological products (Decision Nr 720) Law concerning ecological agriculture and

labelling of biological food (242/2000)

GENERAL

Certain regulations concerning the employment of handicapped persons (1/1991) e.g. §§ 21, 24, 30 Labour Code 1/10/1999

ETHICAL FINANCE Union of Czech and Moravian Production Cooperatives

(SCMVD) (cooperations of agriculture and consumption and of housing), Prague, www.scmvd.cz RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

UNEP CZ: Association of Non-Profit Organisations STEP Other organisations, which work for the protection of

consumers Governmental Council for sustainable development

founded in August 2003, established a “Working Group for sustainable consumption”. This group coordinates the creation and realisation of 10-year programmes for sustainable consumption and production. Czech national committee UNEP, www.unep.cz Association of consumption organisations of the

Czech Republic, www.consumer.cz Members of this association:

- Civil association of consumers TEST, JUDr. Ida Rozova, Prague, Tel. 02 22 13 52 36, [email protected] - Centre of Consumption, Relation and consumer protection, Ivan Vojtek, Tel. 06 18 805 129, 06 18 805 126, [email protected] - Centre of consumer protection in Nymburk, Karel Feller, Nymburk, Tel. 03 25 512 414, 03 25 501 247, [email protected] - Centre of consulting and consumer protection, Vaclav Krejcar, Hradec Kralove, Tel. 049 585 3111 - Service of consulting and consumer information, Petr Brynda, Prague, Tel.02 2410 9331, [email protected]

DENMARK

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE No coordinated initiative in Denmark (similar to the “Ethical trading initative” in the UK) pensions firms, who do not invest in weapon industries etc. or earmark a smaller sum to e.g.

sustainable investment Ethical banks operate countrywide

FAIR TRADE • Prominent institutions like the Ministry of Environment, Danish Parliament use fair trade products (coffee, tea) RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION The Danish government is very supportive of community based initatives, the CSA

Landbrugslauget project has received some funding. Biodynamic Associaton and permaculture groups promote the concept of CSA in Denmark Advanced initiatives for green procurement

GENERAL coordinated public approach on CSR: April 2003 : Danish Ministry of Economics and

Business Affairs launched a CSR-project. The background for the project is the worldwide tendency that CSR is becoming an important issue for businesses. Some of the largest Multinational Companies in the world choose to report on CSR-topics and demand of their suppliers to do the same. The aim of the project is to improve the competitiveness of Danish busineses by making it easy for Danish businesses to live up to CSR-requirements and to report on their CSR-activities. Another aim is to coordinate reporting requirements from Danish authorities with international standards and conventions. The project includes both small and large companies, but places special focus on SME's in the supply chain. The first and present stage of the project is analytical. This includes a survey among Danish companies in the supply chain as well as a survey among Multinational Companies about their CSR-demands to their suppliers. The Ministry cooperates with the Confederation of Danish Industry on these surveys. The first results has shown, that a majority of the larger companies are presented for demands to document their work with environment and workings environment issues - and close to half of the medium sized companies. The surveys also show, that many Danish companies ask their own suppliers to document CSR-issues. The purpose of the surveys is to get a general view of the needs of Danish businesses. The next phases will include the development of tools, that can facilitate Danish companies work with CSR-issues. The CSR-project within the Danish Ministry of Economics and Business Affairs will cooperate with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry for Employment (under which the Copenhagen Centre belongs) about the future and more concrete stages of the project.

ETHICAL FINANCE Tax credits regulations : tax

credits for certain projects (wind power etc.) in the past

Pension Disclosure regulation in discussion Certain enterprises have to make an

environmental and social report RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public Social Index: voluntary self-evaluation tool for companies for the compliance with social responsibilities, Danish Ministry of Social Affairs, www.detsocialeindeks.dk • Documentation of ethical labour practices of businesses

ETHICAL FINANCE Oikos – www.oikos.dk, Cooperative

Bank, especially dedicated to thirld world relations. Merkur Cooperative Bank –

www.merkurbank.dk, [email protected], financing of environmental, social and cultural projects. FAIR TRADE • Many small organisations deal with fair trade, but on a small un-coordinated scale • Butik Salam – www.salam.dk, • FairNet – [email protected]; • Max Havelaar – www.maxhavelaar.dk • U-Landsimporten – www.u-landsimporten.dk • U-Landsforeningen Svalerne – Tel. +45 8612 9701 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION ASC - Agriculture Soutenue par la

Communauté ; cooperative of consumers (500) with a litmited liability, which share a countryside, the knowledge of organic agriculture, the harvest; develops still, www.landbrugslauget.dk, [email protected] 3 biodynamic CSA farms: Christian

Coff, personal communications CSA farm Gule Reer: project from the

Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, 26 members Danish Consumer Council Nepenthes (deals with tropical wood) Copenhagen Centre: to help foster

social partnerships and further supports research, www.copenhagencentre.org

FINLAND

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE • In 2002 the Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises (MONIKA) arranged a seminar with a title 'Ethical Investment in Europe - Changes and Challenges'. • The Church (Evangelican Lutheral) has published guidelines for ethical financing. www.evl.fi/english • Finnish trade-union movement is interested in this field FAIR TRADE Europe’s only Fair Trade ship

Finnish Parliament uses fair trade products (coffee) Official financial support for fair trade by the national

authorities (e.g. sensibilisation campaigns) RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Finnish Ethical Forum : promote interaction between business, consumers and organisations and offer them a place to discuss CSR, www.eettinenfoorumi.org/english.shtml • Finnish forest industry is well developed in the areas of environmental protection, eco-management and efficient use of energy and raw materials. • Public campaign for the State as an employer (CSR policies for public authorities – Copenhague Center), www.jussemper.org GENERAL • Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, with the aim to support the OECD guidelines (Decree 335/ 2001); promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by the public authorities is a key element in the work of the committee. • multinational companies are actively applying CSR in their actions according the OECD guidelines ILO`s core labour standards and UN Global Compact, (e.g. Elisa Corporation, Metso Corporation, Nokia, Sampo, Sonera and StoraEnso) • A special governmental CSR programme including the promotion of ethical financing, fair trade etc. has been introduced in February 2003 by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. • multi-stakeholder dialogue

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public environmental label “Nordic Swan-Label” (for Scandinavia) for products and services, which are less damaging to the environment www.svanen.nu/ecolabel.htm • The Chamber of Commerce has published Principles for Social Responsibility in Importing; http://www.kauppakamari.fi/keskuskauppakamari/index.cfm GENERAL • Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT) published a guide on corporate responsibility - 2001 (self-evaluation and development for the companies) • construction industry branch and Finnish Bioindustries have also published their own principles on corporate responsibility and business ethics • Finnish insurers reached agreement on a common set of principles on social responsibility – 2000 (self-assessment questions, business practices)

ETHICAL FINANCE • Church (Evangelican Lutheral) • Finnish trade-union movement is interested in this field FAIR TRADE

Finnish Fair Trade Association. An NGO, part of the international fair trade movement. Provides information on ethical trading and responsible consumption, gives out fair trade labels to products. For more information: www.reilukauppa.fi; [email protected] Maailmankauppojen Liitto ry – www.maailmankaupat.fi; Reilun

kaupan edistaemisyhditys ry – www.reilukauppa.fi RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Kuluttajat-Konsumenterna: NGO that works to improve the consumers' protection and gives out information also on responsible consuption. www.kuluttajat-konsumenterna.fi; [email protected] • Finnish Consumer Association (Suomen kuluttajaliitto). An NGO that provides information for consumers. www.kuluttajaliitto.fi • Ethical Forum - a network of various stakeholders (governmental, NGO's). www.eettinenfoorumi.org; [email protected] meets on ad hoc basis in different forms to discuss different topics, senior expertise -level.

GENERAL • Finnish Business & Society - a network to promote CSR. www.businessandsociety.net; offers also forms of gathering that are open to everybody. Publication of “Tool Kit”: dealing with responsible human resources policy, stakeholder dialogue, existing best practices, new ways to improve practices.

FRANCE


FINANSOL (1995): Collective of representation of ethical financing in France Private Label for socially responsible investment funds

“FINANSOL”: allows savers to distinguish social and solidarity funds from traditional financial products Social responsible Label by CIES: Label for saving products with

socially responsible criteria CIGALEs Federation - Investors Club for Alternative and Local

Management of Savings (1986): regroups 80 active clubs; activities of capital-risk in preference of local projects with added human value (alternative, cultural and ecological character, social interest of products, integration of unemployed persons), investor can deduct 25% from his investment from individual income tax, Tel: +33 1 49 91 90 91 Ethical funds have appeared in France in the 1980s to respond to

the demand from religious communities. Presently 35 responsible funds, representing 800m € in assets. Majority of these funds (24) have been created since 1999 and close to 80% rely on the research of ARESE (VIGEO). This agency rates CAC40 companies and other companies in the Euro zone using a set of five stakeholder-based criteria: corporate performance in their relations with the environment, employees, customers and suppliers, shareholders and civil society.

FAIR TRADE State has recognised officially the organisation Max Havelaar French Platform for Fair Trade (PFCE) (1997): differents fair trade

actors in France, who promote the development of fair trade in the North and South, [email protected], +33 1 48 91 20 75 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: finances the associations of fair trade

through a 3-year program for the development of fair trade (increase of producers and benefited workers) for regions, where solidarity is needed most (ZSP). Interministerial delegation for social innovation and social

economy (DIES): presides the first commission of standardisation on fair trade with AFNOR (French Association for Standardisation, member of ISO [International Standarisation Organisation]) and all the stakeholders; DIES is regularly invited to intervene in certain projects of fair trade or ethical finance; DIES made a public campaign to sensibilise the public actors for fair trade Financial support for the fair trade sector through the state

(campaigns) Fair trade products are used in the French Parliament, the French

Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the offices of the Prime

ETHICAL FINANCE

Law concerning invested salary savings (19/2/2001) and pension reserve fund (17/7/2001): report of social, environmental considerations, tax incentives Law concerning pensions savings

(2003) Plan voluntary partenarial of salary

savings; Plan voluntary partenarial of salary savings for the pension – must obligatory offer the possibility to invest in a common funds for solidary enterprises (5-10% of the active are used for solidary projects) Law No 2003-709 (1 August) concerning

tax credit for investments in small non quoted companies Law N 2003-721 (1 Aug) concerning tax

credit for donations generated by solidartiy savings Law No 2001-420 (15 May) relative to new

economic regulations, Art. 116 for certain non lucratif associations (e.g. l’ADIE); direct loans for the creation of enterprises (through unemployed people e.g.); annual report: social, environmental consequences FAIR TRADE • dispositions of the public market law favour products of responsible consumption for public institutions. • Declaration of local collectives in Johannesburg to promote ethical public purchases • Resolutions for Fair trade at regional and local level • Award ot the label “campagne d’interêt général” through the Premier Minister for the Max Havelaar association

ETHICAL FINANCE

Different institutions of solidary finance: - Adie - Autonomie et Solidarité, - Caisse Solidaire Nord-pas de Calais ([email protected]) - Fédération des Cigales - Cofides Nord Sud - France Active - Garrigue - Habitat et Humanisme - Ides, - CIES - La Nef , www.lanef.com, ([email protected]) - Love Money pour l’Emploi - Oiko Credit - Racines, Sidi, Sifa - Femu Qui, Corsica, www.femuqui.mic.fr, ([email protected]) - CDC IXIS Asset Management / Caisse des dépôts et consignations, Caisse d’Epargne - Crédit Coopératif (www.credit-cooperatif.coop) - Crédit Mutuel, Ethys - Rating agency ARESE (VIGEO) (member of SIRI group) - Finansol - [email protected], Tel.+33 1 53 36 80 60, Observatoire d’Ethique des Entreprises

FAIR TRADE

Importers : Solidar’Monde – www.solidarmonde.fr, Artisal Retail importers: Artisanat-Set (VPC), andira, Azimut-Artisans du Nepal,

Andines, Alter Eco, Artisans du Soleil, Boutic Ethic, Ethic.org, Lilah distribution, Sira Kura, www.commercequitable.com Shops : Artisans du Monde (over 120 shops) –

www.globenet.org/artisans-du-monde, Artisans du Soleil, Artisal, Bébé en Vardrouille, IDEO, Ti ar Bed, Couleurs du Sahel, Guayapi. Associations, which promote fair trade: Aspal (Association of Solidarity

with peoples from Latin America), Equiterre, Yamana Label association – Max Havelaar – www.maxhavelaarfrange.org,

[email protected]

Minister and of the President of the Republic Since 1999 Max Havelaar initiates the “Quinzaine du Commerce

Equitable”, financially supported by the Ministery of Education, Youth and Research, the foreign Ministry and local authorities General Councils (3), Regional Councils (5), towns and local

authorities (about 137) are engaged for fair trade AFNOR works on a norm for fair trade

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Financial support (2001-2003: 133.000 €) of the Provence-Alpes-

Côte d’Azur Region for the development of AMAP, www.cr-paca.fr, Mr Chesneau, Tel. +33 491 57 50 57 Public environmental label “NV ENVIRONNEMENT: label for

products with certain ecological criteria Regular meetings to evolve agreements/conventions, to define the

main strategic interventions of public authorities in the 3 sectors of economic solidarity

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public procurement law : social and environment obligatory conditions are established within the framework of public market (Article 14) • Loi relative aux jardins collectifs (14 Oct 2004, N 2, 2003-2004) • Convention for the financing of « chauffe-eau solaires individuels » (Partnership Conseil Regional d’Alsace et l’ADEME Alsace et la Banque Populaire d’Alsace) GENERAL • Charte of social economy 1980: members are associations, mutual social insurances, cooperatives, fair trade organisations • Legal support for solidarity companies

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AMAP – Association pour le Maintien de l’Agriculture Paysanne

29 Associations; [email protected]; www.urgenci.net Alliance Ecologists, Farmers and Consumers : [email protected],

www.alliancepec.org More than 80 Different Gardens ‘Jardins des cocagnes (“Jardins”

which work on the principle of AMAP: Jardins de Gaîa : [email protected], Tel : +33 490781045; www.jardinons.com, [email protected], Strasbourg, [email protected] – Les Jardins de la Montagne Verte ; Les Jardin de Gaïa, [email protected] Association ”Consommation, Logement et Cadre de Vie” (CLCV) Association Léo Lagrange: defense of the rights of consumers Tourisme solidaire: [email protected], Arvel Voyages –

Strasbourg, E-changeons le Monde – Sundhoffen, Alsace-Makhana – Soultzmatt, Croq’Nature – Argeles-Gazost, Djembé – Paris, Mass Education S.M.E. – Bouffemont, Taddart – Morsang/Orge, Tourisme et Développement Solidaire – Aubais, Vacances Bleues – Voyager Autrement - Paris DIES (Interministerial delegation for social innovation and social

economy) (1981) Ministry of social affairs, of labour and of solidarity : supports the development of the different sectors of social and solidary economy (cooperatives, mutual insurance associations, associations); coordinates public policies in this area; Paris, Tel. +33 1 40566201, [email protected] YAMANA: [email protected], label for handmade carpets

(fair working conditions, no abuse of child-labor, ecological production).

GERMANY

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE Most of the German funds (approx. 15) are green funds that invest in environmentally friendly

technologies, pollution reduction, renewable energies and organic food. They manage DM3 billion (€ 1.5b) today, compared to DM 500 mio. in 1998. Alternative or co-operative banks, such as GLS-Gemeinschaftsbank and Umweltbank, also place the

main emphasis on lending and investment in environmental projects. The social dimension is only starting to emerge and the main rating agency (Oekom Research) has recently developed a Corporate Sustainable Assessment that includes both social and cultural criteria. Pension funds will be required as of January 2002 to disclose the ethical, social and environmental components of their investment strategy. A green index - the Natur-Aktien-Index NAX – was launched in 1997 by two German-speaking

ecological press agencies: the Munich-based Natur and the Vienna based Öko-Invest. Verbraucherinitative has published a position paper concerning “Consumer protection and

standards for ethical investments”; www.verbraucher.org Enquete commission of the Bundestag: recommendation to further ethical investments,

http://www.bundestag.de/gremien/welt/glob_end/downloads.html “Muenchen Fond” for ethical, ecological financial investments established by the City Council of

Muenich et Agendakoordination Eine Welt, was in discussion in 2001/2002 - initiative was called off, because there were already enough initiatives, instead they provided a brochure promoting all the different offers DZ Bank Mikrofinanzfonds GbR mbH Frankurt, Finanzierung von Kleinkrediten an Frauen in Afrika

zum Aufbau einer Existenz, www.service-eine-welt.de Oikocredit, Westdeutscher Foerderkreis: giving cheap loans for co-operatives and enterprises in poor

countries, www.oikocredit.org/sa/westdt, [email protected] Town Neuss (April 2004), first local authority, who is Member at Oikocredit Westdeutscher

Foerderkreis, with 1500 Euro, [email protected] , www.oikocredit.org/sa/westdt FAIR TRADE Campaigns: Currently, the German Development Cooperation is financing a large scale public

information campaign “fair feels good” about principles, structures and backgrounds of Fair Trade (funding: 2003-2005 EUR 3.3 mio.). This support is part of the “Program of Action 2015” which describes the the German Government‘s contribution towards having extreme poverty worldwide. The campaign is implemented by the “Verbraucherinitative” in cooperation with TransFair and Weltladendachverband (non-governmental organisations). Aim is the duplication of the sale of fair trade products. Campaign for the marketing of fair trade products 2001-2003 launched by Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) Campaign for the introduction of the TransFair Label in Germany 2002-2004 by BMU Campaigns supported by the Federal States of Bayern, Saarland, NRW, Niedersachsen, Schleswig-

Holstein or certain regions (e.g. towns of Ruhrgebiet) Subsidies and grants: Different ministries of the German Government have funded in the past NGO

initiatives in the field of fair trade (e.g. international Fair Trade label, studies). Further activities: Handbook for the cooperation of fair trade initiatives (BMU) Different ministries of the German government plan to further support public and private fair trade

initiatives Financial Support of “fair weeks” and of “fair trade campaigns” in certain federal states The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development holds regular meetings with

TransFair, Weltladendachverband and other Fair Trade organisations (forming part of the consultative

ETHICAL FINANCE law on private pensions

“Altersvorsorge-vertraege - Zertifizierungsgesetz (§ 7 Abs. 4), Gesetzesentwurf Alterseinkuenftegesetz Art. 5: companies have to give information about social and ecological criteria Pensions reform: Law on company

pension scheme, Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz (§ 10a Abs. 1, Appendix D, III, 2cc): cerified private and occupational pension schemes have to inform about social, ethical and ecological criteria (disclosure regulation), since 1/8/2001 Renewable energy Act: its effect is

more or less limited to wind power FAIR TRADE “Coalition Agreement 2002” of the

new elected German Government in 2002: support of fair trade Program of Action 2015 (The

German Government’s Contribution Towards Halving Extreme Poverty Worldwide): Creating Fair Trade Opportunities for the Developing Countries Initiatives of the Parliament to

further the import of agricultural fair trade products from developing countries Initiatives of the Parliament to

privilege fair trade products in the public procurement (Buendnis 90/DIE GRUENEN 2002) Decision of the Lower House of the

German Parliament (Bundestag) to

ETHICAL FINANCE • Banks: Bank für Sozialwirtschaft, Germany) – www.sozialbank.de, [email protected], • GLS Gemeinschaftsbank – www.gls-bank.de; [email protected]; • Umweltbank – www.umweltbank.de, [email protected] • Rating agencies: Oekom Research, IMUG etc.

FAIR TRADE • FLO – Fair Trade labelling Organisation International – www.fairtrade.net; www.fairtrade.org; TransFair: labelling initiative, Mr. Overath, [email protected], www.transfair.org

Dritte-Welt-Partner – www.dritteweltpartner.de; EI Puente – www.el-puente.de; GEPA – www.gepa3.de; Transfair Germany – www.transfair.org; Weltlaeden Dachverband – www.weltlaeden.de, [email protected]; Fair Trade e.V. – www.fairtrade.de Verbraucherinitiative:

[email protected] www.verbraucher.org • Forum Fairer Handel: Hamburg Tel.: 040/ 219 88 365, [email protected] • GTZ, [email protected]

committee of campaigns) Numerous joint activities of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development with the

“Servicestelle Kommunen in der Einen Welt”: the contribution of town Councils to extend fair trade (resolutions?); how to motivate communes to take into consideration at the public procurement also fair trade criteria; City cafeterias and fair trade Town Neuss was in 2001 “capital of fair trade” in Germany Implementation of the Competition: “Capital of faire Trade” (2003: Dortmund), financed by different

ministries Activities of the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture with the Food and

Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) many prominent personalities and institutions use fair trade products (coffee, tea) like conference

centres, university canteens, the City Council of Hamburg, the regional Parliaments of Bavaria and Thuringia, the national Parliament (Bundestag) and the President of the Republic government Social Democrats and Greens (1998): Fair Trade has a higher profile among political

decision-makers; NGOs, fair traders are included in the dialog, dicussion is centred on the intention to create an official “eco and fair” label; increasing demand to bring fair trade and organic foods together lower house of German Parliament has asked the federal government to further the “voluntary

agriculture-environment/social certifications in developing countries (DS 14/4802) at national and international level; certifications of fair trade or oeko-products are e.g. supported concerning legislation and certifying bodies BMVEL: supports west african farmers for fair products and oeko products 1,1 Mio.€ (certification,

turnover); BMU supports fair trade products and ecological produced products from developing countries for the german market; BMU support for the handbook “Im Zeichen der Nachhaltigkeit – Verknuepfung von Oeko- und Fair

Trade Initiativen”; follow up: Internet Platform www.oeko-fair.de is supported with 50.000 € (2003/2004) and gives a first survey of Oeko- and Fair Trade Initiatives 140.000 € for analyses of the German Market and of succesful european Fair trade campaigns

(important preparatory work for the actual communication campaign) BMU supports the introduction of the international Fair Trade/Transfair label in the German market

(2002-2003: 150.000 € and 2004-2005: 200.000 €) BMVEL plans to support the communication campaign for fair trade with financial means til 700.000 € Enquete commission of the Bundestag: recommendation to further fair trade

http://www.bundestag.de/gremien/welt/glob_end/downloads.html Market share of fair trade coffee: 0,7%, Orange juice less than 0,1% Municipalities: after a survey 16% have fair trade activities, 5% have cafeterias with fair trade coffee,

3% consume “fair” flowers “Fair coffee in the churches”; [email protected]; www.eed.de

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION National dialogue process for sustainable consumption and production (SCP): Response to the 10-

year framework of programmes for SCP of WSSD. Blue Angel labelling scheme: Put into place more than 25 years ago meanwhile there are 3.700

products in 80 product groups which are covered by this scheme, www.blauer-engel.de Viabono: Brand for environmentally sound tourism as an initiative of Federal Government, tourism,

environmental and consumer organisations. Label online: Virtual consumer information platform on more than 300 labels, set up by Die

VERBRAUCHER Initiative e. V. in co-operation with the Federal Ministry of the Environment and the Federal Environmental Agency, covering environmental and social information for a wide spectrum of products and services (www.label-online.de).

Bio-Siegel: Set up by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture in December 2001 on a legislative base, the governmental Bio-Siegel postsignes food products which are produced under EG-Öko-Verordnung (www.bio-siegel.de).

use fair trade products in its gastronomic institutions

Request of the FDP-Party concerning fair trade activities of the government - Answer of the State Secretary Mr Erich Stather Decisions of Municipalities to

support fair trade Decision of the Munic City Council

17 July 2002): certain procucts e.g. orange juice, carpets etc. have to be tendered with the criteria of repect of the ILO-Convention 182 Decision of the town Rheinstetten

to favour fair trade products; [email protected]

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Packaging Ordinance of 1991/98: Deposit requirement for drink packaging if targets for market share of reusable packaging are not met.

Requirement to take back used packaging. Battery Ordinance: Take back requirements for used batteries Used Oil Ordinance: Take back requirements for used oil and oil products. Regulations for green public procurement - Law for the

www.gtz.de • Servicestelle Kommunen in der Einen Welt: [email protected] www.service-eine-welt.de • Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs. Habel, [email protected]; Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, [email protected]; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), www.bmu.de; Federal Environmental Agency, www.uba.de, www.oeko-fair.de RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Buschberghof: 21493 Fuhlenhagen, 40km von Hamburg, +49 40 6564984, [email protected] • About 500 vegetable box schemes with organic agricultural products • Federal Associations of EVGs (Erzeuger-Verbrauchergemeinschaften) www.foodcoops.de, [email protected] , www.bremer-evg.de/charta, +49 421 3499077, www.tagwerk.net , tagwerk-

Green Public Procurement: Handbook Green Public Procurement and Website (www.beschaffung-info.de). Initiatives on several levels to promote green public procurement.

Many German towns and cities have their own guidelines and criteria for environmentally-friendly procurement

EMAS in public institutions: Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt) was the first public institution which was certified according to EMAS II.

Sustainable Goods Project (Nachhaltiger Warenkorb): A communication initiative set up by the Council for Sustainable Development to promote sustainable consumption practice within the general public (http://www.nachhaltigkeitsrat.de/projects/sustainable_goods/index.html).

Öko-Tex labelling scheme: Label for environmentally sound clothing put into place in 1992. More than 32.000 certificates for 4.500 companies so far.

„Von der Agrarwende zur Konsumwende?”: (project example) Research regarding the change in agricultural policy and new sustainable consumption patterns

www.fona.de : Homepage to present research findings and to foster networking for sustainability including sustainable consumption (relaunch together with)

Research Programme for applied sustainability concepts: Will set the framework for research and education for sustainability within 4 main areas of action, of which one includes sustainable consumption patterns (planned for mid 2004).

The Sustainable Shopping Basket: Project launched by the Institute for Market, Environment and Society (imug) on behalf of the German Council for Sustainable Development in 2002; further developed by the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture since 2003; objectives: improvement of consumer information, facilitating the search for sustainable alternatives by showing possible ways of behaviour in relevant fields of consumption. CSA: Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Buschberghof, CSA farmbased initatives of biodynamic farms About 500 CSA Erzeuger-Verbrauchergemeinschaften (EVG) with about 15 000 members:

producer-consumer associations (food-co-ops); EGV receive some support from state governments for marketing and publicity if they are organised

through schemes such as farmers’ co-operatives. box schemes, vegetable bags (fruits vegetables) Label “Hand in Hand” for fair trade products, which derive from ecological agriculture (Rapunzel) Label for buildings with particular low energy requirements concerning heating (RAL-

GUETEZEICHEN NIEDRIGENERGIE-BAUWEISE”, environmental, energy label (privat) RUGMARK Label: no child labour label for carpets and rugs which are produced without child labour,

www.rugmark.de Blumen aus menschen- und umweltschonender Produktion: Label for lowers out of socially

acceptable and environmentally-friendly production Town Bamberg: they consume flowers if possible from the region, otherwise out of ”fair” production,

suppliers are before informed about this practice Fire Department Duesseldorf: demands at a tender for clothes a description of the conditions of

production; for offeres which the same price the one is favoured which can prouve that the suppliers keep social minimum standards of ILO Town of Bonn: prefers products in the public procurement where child labour is not involved NABU Price for sustainable construction and renovation, www.nabu.de, [email protected] Rat fuer Nachhaltige Entwicklung” (Council for sustainable development), German Republic and

the Federal State Berlin: Document “Snap-Shot: Society and Sustainability”, www.nachhaltigkeitsrat.de, [email protected] Local Renewables – 31 May 2004: International Meeting of Mayors for renewable energies,

financial support from German Ministries, www.localrenewables2004.de, [email protected] 21. June 2004: Conference concerning sustainable development of the 1. Mayor of Hamburg

Forum “Formation for a sustainable development”, [email protected] 1.-2. July 2004: 1. European Congress for environmental officers of local authorities Solar energy, www.solarbundesliga.de

promotion of recyling management and safeguard of environmentally friendly waste disposal, BGBl I 1994, Nr. 2705, 27.September: § 37 Closed Cycle and waste management law Blue Angel environmental labelling scheme Federal State Label “Bio label Baden-Wuerttenberg” (environment), www.baden-wuerttemberg.de Federal State Label “Oeko Punkt Sachsen” (environment) Appointment of an Enquete-Commission of the Bundestag for questions of globalisation (Resolution 15. December 1999)

[email protected] ; • Information concerning local organic production: www.allesbio.de • Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. www.bmu.de; Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture. www.verbraucherministerium.de; Federal Ministry of Education and Research: www.bmbf.de; Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs. Habel, [email protected]; Federal Environmental Agency. www.umweltbundesamt.de • Council for Sustainable Development. www.nachhaltigkeitsrat.de • Jury Umweltzeichen (Blue Angel). www.blauer-engel.de Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband.

www.vzbv.de Die VERBRAUCHER Initiative e. V.

www.verbraucher.org Stiftung Warentest www.stiftung-

warentest.de Öko-Tex Zertifizierungssystem.

www.oeko-tex.com Friends of the Earth Germany.

www.bund.net Informationszentrum IZEP

Entwicklungspolitik: [email protected], www.inwent.org/izep The Round Table Codes of Conduct

Secretariat, Tel. +49 (0)6196 79 1465 Fax: +49 (0)6196 79 80 1465, [email protected], www.gtz.de Procura+ 18 European local

authorities establish a campaign for a fair and environmental public procurement (Germany: Town of Ravensburg), www.procuraplus.org

GREECE

Activities Legislation Organisations FAIR TRADE In Greece, where development co-operation is less well known

than in other EU countries, fair trade has a similarly low profile. • Cosmos Art is the only importing and wholesaling organisation (private, profit-oriented) specialising in handicrafts produced in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Four years ago Cosmos Art adopted fair trade principles in their business and was supported in this by the Dutch importing organisation Fair Trade Organisatie. The two organisations co-operate through joint orders from fair trade co-operatives and in providing feedback to the producers on the requirements of the Greek market. Cosmos Art have produced a good variety of information material about fair trade as well as on local traditions and production techniques. Cosmos Art have about 300 customers all over Greece although there are no fair trade shops. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Green Peace created the Network of consumers against genetically modified products

GENERAL • dialog between EFET and the Union of Consumers • public authorities have regular meetings with the ecological NGOs, the Union of Consumers and the Scientific Community (viable production, profits from the use of organic biological products, change of models of consumption, dangers in food)

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • implementations of EU Directives concerning the hygiene of foods, the quality of water etc. • Consumer Protection Law Nr. 2251/1994

FAIR TRADE

Cosmos Art : [email protected], [email protected], Athens

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • many consumer organisations which are occupied with the question of responsible consumption, protection of interest of consumers (law 2251/94) • EFET – comestible authority – www.efet.gr : food controlling system, evaluation of alimentary dangers, protection of the health of consumers…. • INKA: non profit NGO, General Consumers’ Federation, www.inka.gr, [email protected], Tel. +30 210 3632443 • Ministry of agriculture – www.minagric.gr • Ministry of growth – www.ypan.gr • Ministry of health, general chemical laboratory of state – www.mnec.gr • National committee of bioethic

HUNGARY

Activities Legislation Organisations FAIR TRADE 1996: The first fair trade shop in Hungary opened. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION “Go local” programme initiative 1997

Quality Hungarian Foods lablling since

1998 (if one or more quality indicators of the products prove considerably higher standard in quality than as specified in the relevant legal regulations ) Initiative to establish a uniform “ECO”

trademark in order to strengthen consumer confidence Environment friendly, environment saving

label Agriculture, tourism and partnership in

regional development programme, Villany-Siklos wine road

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Regional Farm Building Programme Sub Programme supporting the development and market introduction of excellent quality Hungarian products and specialities Programme for micro regional farm development Agriculture and Rural Development Act 74/2004: Operational Programme 2004-2006, rules of procedure of ecological requirements for the manufacturing, distribution and labelling of agricultural products and food products Order no. 1/1999. (I. 14.) FVM about the realization of act no. XXVII of 1998 on gene technology activities in the areas of agriculture and food industry Order no. 41/1993. (VI. 11.) OGY about the strengthening on the labour control in the area of agriculture (Geneva, 25th June, 1969, ILO) Decision no. 73/2001. (XI. 7.) OGY (Parliament), about the acceptance of the report of the Council of Public Procurements on the activities about the experiences concerning the transparency and clearness of public procurement carried out in the period between 1st January – 31st December, 1998 GENERAL Government order no. 2146/2000. (VI. 30.), about the concept of electronical public

procurement system and the measures needed to its realization The Common direction no. 10/1986. about the agricultural activity done in sanitary and social institutions and about the ruling of the special financial interest connected to it Government order no. 10/2001. (I. 30.) about the acceptance of the methods and conditions

of participation of the Republic of Hungary in the LIFE (financial means of the environment) Common order no. 18/2004. (II. 24.) about the appointment of the contributory

organizations in the realization of the Environment and Infrastructure Operative Programme Act no. VII. of 2003., about the modification of the Act no. LXIV. of 2001 on the protection of

cultural heritage Personal Income Tax Act: social organisations are receiving 1% personal income tax

propositions who undertake public activities (social activity, family care, education and training, cultural activity, environment protectin, suuporting the social equal opportunity of socially disadvantaged groups, protection of human and citizenship rights, consumer protection, etc.) Non-profit Act (Act CLVI/1997): non-profit organisations have tax exemptions for certain

activities; individual that uses this service is exemted form paying personal income tax on the offered service Act on National Civil Core Programme (L/2003): budgetary support for the operations and

activities of civil organisations (social organisations and foundations with certain activities) National Rural Development Plan: grants for unfavourable regions Act IV/1991: governing employment support and allowances for unemployed individuals;

organisations responsible for public activities should whenever possible select staff from unemployed inidviduals. National Employment Public Fund

FAIR TRADE

Weltladen RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Hungarian Products Club

Associaton (HPCA), underlying national economic values of national products and services Environment-Friendly Public

Association

IRELAND

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE different initiatives available

FAIR TRADE many fair trade promotional activities (e.g. hosting

of the Finnish Fair Trade Ship in Dublin) local authorities, the national broadcasting company

RTE, the National University of Ireland and the Dail Restaurant in the Irish Parliament use fair trade products RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Excellence through people: Label for national standard for human resource development, www.fas.ie

ETHICAL FINANCE • Sustainable Ireland, www.sustainable.ie/resources/money/art07.htm • Christian Ethical Investment group, www.sustainable.ie/resources/money/art07.htm FAIR TRADE

Association of Fair Trade Shops – [email protected]; Fairtrade Mark Ireland – www.fair-mark.org; Oxfam Ireland – www.oxfamireland.org ; Dakini; Fairs Fair

ITALY

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE There are € 3.8 million under

responsible management today in Italy (0.8% of total investments), for a total of 15 funds, the majority of which are invested in bonds. A third of these are only “ethical” in the sense that part of the revenues is used as grants to charities. Another group is based essentially on exclusion criteria and the third group is largely focused on the environment. Since February 1999, Banca Etica - a

virtual bank with 14'000 shareholders and a social capital of €7.5m - has been investing exclusively in social and environmental projects. In January 2001, a Finance

Monitoring Organisation (Osservatorio FINETICA) was created by two academic institutions. FAIR TRADE 1999 National Fair Trade Forum

“Commercio Equo”; 120 Italian organisations signed a charter for fair and social trade with their own criteria (email discussion process)

prominent institutions like the bar of the Italian Parliament and the FAO offices of the UN use fair trade products (coffee, tea) RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION 300 schools (100 000 children) have

organic school meal schemes (proactive public sector catering initatives built on priority for local and organic food) Network Lavoro Etico social Quality

Label: label for products, which have been produced in accordance with socially responsible criteria and norms, www.lavoroetico.org Last Minute Market: preventing waste

(food, non-food), www.lastminutemarket.org

ETHICAL FINANCE Parliament Resolution concerning ethical finance (7-00275),

3/7/2003: manifests the aim to support the ethical finance sector Legislation on pension funds introduces to some extent barriers for

the SRI-development; but Pension Disclosure regulation in discussion Partnership Region Trento/ Cassa Centrale concerning ethical

finance FAIR TRADE 1999: regional Parliaments (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Lazio)

passed resolutions and legal texts regarding Fair Trade March 2003: National Resolution of the Senat for fair trade Law Proposal on favour of sustainable development, incentives for

fair trade and for the promotion of the social responsibility of enterprises (XIV Legislatura, 14 April 2003, Camera dei Deputati N. 3892) Fair Trade organisations are campaigning to have Fair Trade included

into the law regarding international cooperation (in order that it will be eligible for support from the offical authorities) Law on social enterprises, November 2003

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • system of social clauses, after which certain markets are reserved for enterprises, which respect certain criteria or have added-value for the society (aims: favour development of social economy, resinsertion..) • law in the Toscana region, which supports financially the consumption of agricultural, biological products in public schools, universities and hospitals GENERAL • Law concerning the organisations for voluntary service 1991 (fiscal advantages: no tax for donations, heritage, activities of the organisation, marginal economic activities); regional contributions • Law for social cooperatives 8/11/1991: contribute for the general interest (fiscal advantages) • Law concerning ONLUS -Organisations Non Lucrative of social utility – Decree 460/1997, fiscal advantages, Art.13 and 29 • Law 31.1.1992, Nr. 59: Social Cooperatives, Art.8 and 11 Decree 8 June 1999, Nr. 328, Regulation concerning Art.29 of the

decree 460/1997, Art. 1-4 Law 30 July 1990, Nr. 218 : Disposizioni in materia di ristrutturazione

e integrazione patrimoniale degli Istituti di credito di diritto pubblico Law 448/98 Art.51 “Agevolazioni per le cooperative sociali;

www.sviluppoitalia.it

ETHICAL FINANCE • Banca Etica, www.bancaetica.com, [email protected] • Etica SGR: www.eticasgr.it (financial management enterprise, works with Banca Etica) • Etimos: www.etimos.it, [email protected], microfinance • Fondazione Culturale Responsabilita Etica: promotion of ethic finance • SEFEA – Società Europea Finanza Etica e Alternativa: product of FEBEA, www.etimos.it/site/news/sefea.pdf ; [email protected] • MAG2 Finance: http://web.tiscalinet.it/mag2; [email protected] • MAG4 Piemonte: http://www.mag4.it; [email protected] • MAG6 Servizi : www.comune.bologna.it/iperbole/mag6-b; [email protected] • Cassa Centrale Casse Rurali Trentine, [email protected] • Microcredit Coop: attiva nel campo della finanza etica scon sede a Brescia • Rating agency: Avanzi (member of SIRI group); www.avanzi.org FAIR TRADE

Associazione Botteghe del Mondo – www.assobdm.it; CTM altromercato – www.altromercato.it; [email protected]; TransFair Italy – www.equo.it, www.transfair.it; [email protected]; Commercio Alternativo - www.4net.com/comalt; Roba dell’Altro Mondo RAM – www.robaweb.com/link/link.htm; RIOCES – Italian Register of Fair Trade Organisations in Italy

with own criteria, aim: spread idea and products of fair trade, adapted charta for fair and social trade RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • social tourism: EU-Project "Progetto Loisir" in Kalabrien • NGO’s: CRIC – www.cric.it; CESVI – www.cesvi.?org; www.cuoreamico.org; • CAES Cooperativa Assicurativa Etico Sociale – www.cooperativacaes.it, Insurance • Centro Nuovo Modello di Sviluppo: [email protected]; http://www.citinv.it/associazioni/CNMS/vuk/welcome_uk.html ; dignity in labour • Rete Lilliput: http://nodi.retelilliput.org/lodi/ ; members: e.g. Amici del Marajò, Amici di Serena; Associazione culturale Adelante; Banca Etica; Cooperativa Nord-Sud; Gruppo 29 Aprile; Laboratorio degli Archetipi; Legambiente; Libreria l’Equilibrista; Movimento Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo • Fabricaethica: www.fabricaethica.it; questions of CSR/other

LIECHTENSTEIN

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE • Many banks have rules (ethical guidelines) concerning ethical financing; guidelines exist also from the Liechtensteinischen Bankenverband (Bankfederation of Liechtenstein); employees are familiar with the principles; not only the clients, also the employees themselves are in the centre of fairness in the business • Liechtensteiner federation of banks has drafted a guideline for financial analysts in which principles of self-regulations in favour of investors and the seriosity of the investment consultation are contained FAIR TRADE • The association "Verein Welt und Heimat" is the best known NGO in Liechtenstein that promotes fair trade, ethical financing and responsible consumption since the seventies. Their main activity is the "Welt- and Naturlada" in Schaan, a shop with a wide variety of fair trade and organic products from all over the world and the region. • The foundation "Liechtensteinischer Entwicklungsdienst" (LED) implements on behalf of the Government of Liechtenstein development aid. It has also the mandate to raise public awareness about the situation in third world countries and the impact of unfair trade relations on these countries. The activities of the years 2003 and 2004 are dedicated to the topic "fair trade". • In the year 2003 the "Welt- and Naturlada" got a subsidy of CHF 5'000 for its educational work regarding fair trade. • In the year 2002 the LED gave a grant of CHF 200'000 to "TransFair Austria" to support their national campaign for promoting the consumption of fair trade products. • Within the country networking (the dialogue) is easy. As a general policy the LED coordinates all its awareness raising activities with relevant organisations and groups - in the case of fair trade mainly with the "Verein Welt und Heimat". • in the year 2003 coffee was the topic of the fair trade campaign around the World Food Day in Octobre. LED and "Verein Welt und Heimat" organised events in the house of government and on public places for tasting the different high quality fair trade coffees (information materiales produced by "Erklärung von Bern"). • Many activities and initiatives within the country are coordinated with Swiss organisations like Claro and Erklaerung von Bern RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • The Swiss NGO "Arbeitskreis Tourismus und Entwicklung" (Basel) got a grant of CHF 10.000.-- for its campaigns on fair tourism

ETHICAL FINANCE • Sorgfaltspflichtgesetz: banks have the duty to examine the party of the agreement, the financial authority and the origin of the money (ethical claim to take no criminal money)

FAIR TRADE • 1987: Statement of the princely government for a "Petition for fair trade with the third world" (initiated from 4 organisations)

ETHICAL FINANCE • Hypo-Investmentbank: forces ethical-ecological investment (not only profitability is in the foreground but also other important values); www.hypo.li; www.hib.li

FAIR TRADE • Verein Welt und Heimat: Ms. Gerda Bicker, 9495 Triesen, [email protected] • Liechtensteinischer Entwicklungsdienst: works for development aid (also fair trade) [email protected]

LITHUANIA

Activities Legislation Organisations GENERAL Employment Fund resources are used for Ethical financing

(implementation of projects related with local employment initiatives; loans to unemployed who want to set up their own business) Projects relating to local employment initiatives: creation of new jobs

facilitating the concentration of local community social economic partners’ efforts to increase employment of the groups of individuals in different municipalities and to develop local social economic infrastructure Own business organisation programme: aims to orientate individuals

towards private initiative (creating their own business) Creation (adaptation) of subsidised jobs: aims to provide assistance to

groups of unemployed entitled to additional guarantees in the labour market which are unable to compete on equal terms in the labour market Employment subsidy –employers who place into jobs the unemployed

entitled to additional guarantees in the labour market referred to them by the labour exchange receive employment subsidies in the established amount from the Employment Fund during the period of employment of such persons Public works: works organised for temporary employment of the

unemployed and other persons enrolled with a territorial labour exchange in the established manner by territorial labour exchanges Enterprises for disabled. Enterprises established by disability NGOs

receive tax relief and subsidies from the national budget for state social insurance and energy, as well as reduced taxation levels, discounts on rental costs and personal income tax from municipal councils. Specialisation and perspectives of state enterprises established under

the auspices of correctional labour colonies Public supplies, services or works contracts: simplified negotiated

procedure without publication of a contract notice, if supplies, services or works are produced or delivered by the penitentiary institutions founded by the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Justice, if over 50% of the employees are inmates, or by undertakings if over 50% of their employees are disabled, or by health care institutions, if at least 50% of the employees are occupational therapy patients. Institutions financed from the state budget must spend on those goods and services no less than 10 % of all the expenses on those goods and services.

GENERAL

At the moment a law on social enterprises is being drafted. New work places at social enterprises will be created and expenses on wages will be compensated; enterprises of the disabled and enterprises at the correctional institutions and medical institutions will be supported. Law on Support of the Unemployed

of the Republic of Lithuania Procedure for the Implementation of

Local Employment Initiatives (Order No 67 of May 2001 of the Minister of Social security and labour of the republic of Lithuania) Law of the Republic of Lithuania on

Public Procurement entered into force as of 1 March 2003.

ETHICAL FINANCE Hansabankas, [email protected]


National Council for Consumer Protection (state) GENERAL Ministry of Social Security and Labour

Prisons Department (Ministry of Justice)

Public Procurement Office

Lithuanian Council for the Affairs of the Disabled

Lithuanian Labour Exchange

LUXEMBOURG

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE Etika Initiativ fir Alternativ Finanzéierung asbl in

partnership with the saving bank of the state of Luxenbourg: promotes savings and alternativ credits A microfinance Round Table has been set up to better

share information between actors involved into microfinance including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg Cooperation agency, ATTF and various NGOs. ADA is a non-profit organization based in Luxembourg.

Since 1994, ADA has been working with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in developing countries through the LUXMINT programme, an investment « non-profit » programme, and CEREM, the Center for Research and Documentation in Microfinance. www.microfinance.lu • Ministry of Foreign Affairs finances ADA initiatives- investment programme for microfinance institutions in the South (www.gouvernement.lu) FAIR TRADE Since 1995, the ministry of foreign Affairs, cooperation and

human action has financed projects in the field of fair trade and initiatives of Transfair – Minka. In 2000 the ministry financed an initiative of Transfair -

Minka called “two weeks of chocolate”. In the field of fair tradeTransfair makes local collectivities

and consumers aware of responsible consumption, fair trade products and Human Rights, rights of children Transfair and ADA are members of the circle of the cooperation of NGOs of development, which represents and coordinates NGO lobbying towards the government and the EU; www.ongd.lu • Use of TransFair chocolate in seven bakeries and in the traditional Santa Claus gift bags provided by municipalities for all schoolchildren; Use of TransFairchocolate at public events (Minstry of Foreign Affairs, TransFair Minka)

ETHCIAL FINANCE Proposal of a law (by party Dei

Greng) which favours ethical, social and ecological investments (2001) FAIR TRADE No specific laws yet, but Transfair

and other NGOs have asked the government of Luxembourg to introduce ethical criteria in the public market law (July 2002); www.transfair.lu/coal.htm RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public environmental label “ECO-Label” for products and services, www.emweltzenter.lu

ETHICAL FINANCE Etika Initiativ fir Alternativ Finanzéierung asbl: economic development

and ethical investment of reserves and savings, information how to invest savings into financial products, Contact : www.etika.lu, [email protected], 55, avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg, 00352 29 83 53; Etica plans to create a network with persons, who are interested in ethical financing. ADA– Appui au Développement Autonome (Support for autonomous

development), Contact: www.microfinance.lu, [email protected], Luxembourg, Tel. 00352 45 68 68 1 Dexia Microcredit Fund was created in September 1998 by DEXIA BIL

and is managed by BlueOrchard Finance (www.bluorchard.ch), a Swiss asset management company specialized in the management of investments funds targeting the microfinance industry. Contact: [email protected] responsAbility Global Microcredit Fund was launched end of 2003 in

Luxemburg and is managed by ResponsAbility, a social investment platform. http://www.responsAbility.ch/fr/index.html FAIR TRADE

Trans Fair-Minka a.s.b.l (non for profit association) : licences for fair trade (e.g. coffee producer and merchant, chocolate producer and seller); Oetrange; Tel. 00352 35 07 62, www.transfair.lu ; [email protected] shops of the Third-World : distribution of South artisan products and

products, which are labelled with a Fair Trade label; www.drettweltbutteker.lu Transfair: http://www.transfair.Lu/comm.htm

MALTA

Activities Legislation Organisations

FAIR TRADE • Koperattiva Kummerc Gust – [email protected], Tel. +356 244865

MOLDOVA

Activities Legislation Organisations GENERAL Syndicate Confederation of Republic of Moldova: aims to

develop, promote and respect legal acts of human rights; it gathers syndicate centres at national and sectorial level to defend professional interests, social and economic rights Work Institut, founded by the Syndicate Confederation: makes

researches e.g. in the following domaines: motivation, organisation, salaries, syndicate management, social protection, development of the infrastructure of the labour market, security and labour protection, legislation framework of social policy. It assures the formation of syndicate staff, programmes for the inclusion of unemployed workers. Department of European Integration: aims to coordinate

European integration Government: aims to develop small and medium enterprises,

increase of public assistance to promote the idea of enterprises, competitiveness, culture and ethical code of bussines, formation of young people to build enterprises, to improve the access to financial sources, to external markets and to services of informations. Projects:

- State programmes support of small business by Funds for development of enterprising - to create modern systemes of transparent public administration - to promote policy of innovation and competitivesness for economical development - to create a social security system - to fight against corruption, criminality - realisation of territorial reintegration and integration to EU

GENERAL

fiscal code budget low

The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova

legislation acts, which adherence international

treaties of human rights and which respect human rights and basic liberties legal framework to assure economical, culture, social

rights The Parliament of Republic of Moldova created an

Institut of parliament lawyers and Centre of Human Rights Ministry of Economy: anti-monopoly legislation

GENERAL Indirect state support through:

Funds of subsidy and stimulation of rural producers credit (1999) Funds of support to little business (1994)

Funds of support to export (2003)

Locals and Nationals EcologicalFunds (1998)

Funds of social support (2000)

NETHERLANDS

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE Ethical Financing Driving Forces in the Dutch SRI

market are the large pension funds ABP and PGGM, as well as the trade unions FNV and CNV. Besides these parties other leading advocates are rating agencies, research institutes, consultancy firms, NGOs and government agencies. There are 25 green (groen) and sustainable

(duurzaam) funds Major banks are now also offering ethical funds As a result of fiscal incentives provided by the Dutch

government, green investment has increased 125% in 2000 to reach fl2.25billion (approx €1b, 1.2% of total investment). Dutch trade unions are pressing pension funds to

adopt an ethical code Government agencies, ministries and municipalitites

are buying climate certificates e.g. from Triodos to offset their CO2 emissions Carbon Disclosure Project: ethical investment firms

and banks urge multinational companies to make their CO2 emissions transparent and the actions they undertake to reduce them; www.cdproject.net FAIR TRADE

Activities of the different networks (Max Havelaar, Fair Trade Goede Waar&Co; HIVOS, Fair Food, EFTA)

Many public institutions use fair trade products (coffee, tea, hot drinks) like schools, majority of Dutch municipalities, departments of ministries, Dutch Parliament

Official financial support for fair trade by the national authorities (e.g. sensibilisation campaigns)

ETHICAL FINANCE tax facility for Green Projects Scheme (1995): Green Savings

and Investment Plan (wind and solar energy, organic farming); “green” projects must meet certain investment criteria to get tax breaks (1995-2001: 1.500 environmentally friendly projects); extension of the programme 1996: inclusion of sustainable building projects; since 1997 the financial products (funds) can also receive an “ecological label” Regulation on the issue of green certificates for projects

abroad 2002, Decree of January 2, 2002, no. DGM/SB2001137299: extension of the programme 1998: inclusion of projects in Aruba, the Dutch Antilles and in Eastern Europe; companies obtain cheaper loans, private investors have attractive rates; until 2001 investors did not have to pay any income tax on the dividends or interest paid by these funds; the new tax system (from 2001 on) includes a special deduction to ensure a similar result for a maximum amount of € 47.000 per person; at least 70% of the capital in a green fund must be committed to green projects as the special status of green investment funds and projects with a “green certificate” are continued under the new tax system Favourable fiscal regulations concerning cultural

investments and investments in the socio-ethical field Certain enterprises have to make an environmental and social

report

ETHICAL FINANCE ABP Pension Funds: www.abp.nl; Pension Funds

PGGM: www.pggm.nl; Trade Unions FNV and CNV: www.fnv.nl and www.cnv.nl; TRIODOS Bank: managing money in a social conscious way; www.triodos.nl (also in Belgium and UK)

Rating Agencies (i.e. DSR, SNS Asset Management), Research Institutes (i.e. Nyenrode University/European Institute for Business Ethics), Consultancy firms (i.e. DHV, KPMG), NGOs (i.e. VBDO); Ethibel: analyse the social, environmental, ethical added value of companies, they provide the label “Ethibel” for ethical funds;

Oekokrediet: financing of micro-credit banks and fair trade, www.oikocredit.org

FAIR TRADE

Max Havelaar: www.maxhavelaar.nl, [email protected], +31 30 2337070; Fair Trade: organisation fighting for fair prices for products form developing countries and better circumstances for employees – www.fairtrade.nl; De Evenaar – www.de-evenaaar.nl; Wereldwinkels – [email protected]; EFTA – [email protected], www.eftafairtrade.org; www.fairtrade.org; NEWS - Network of European Worldshops – www.worldshops.org Other organisations: raising awareness on trade and

CSR (e.g. Goede Waar & Co, HIVOS, Fair Food, http://www.mvo-platform.nl/index_leden.html;

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Driving forces are the Consumentenbond (Dutch

Consumer Association), Goede Waar & Co and Max Havelaar. The Dutch Consumer Association is developing, for

instance, a CSR Index. This Index will soon enable 3 million members to form a picture of the CSR aspects of a product or manufacturer (initiative is financially supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Environmental Affairs and Development Co-operation). Advanced initiatives for green procurement The Dutch Government: In the Netherlands the

discussion of the 3 sectors of economic solidarity is part of the discussion on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Each department has their own issues on CSR. The Ministry of Economic Affairs acts as a co-ordinating department due to the fact that the Minister of Trade (Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economic Affairs) is CSR co-ordinating member in the cabinet. Support of the Global Reporting Initiative (Amsterdam). Report 2000: “Corporate Social Responsibility, A

Dutch approach” The Ministry of Economy provides a platform for

interdepartmental exchange of views. All other ministries are invited to attend these meetings. Ministry of Development Co-operation stimulates

the promotion and implementation of CSR in developing countries; support of projects that stimulate fair trade (e.g. campaigns) Intensive regular contact between Gov (within

departments) / with networks and organisations and civil society (e.g. business, labour unions, NGOs, pension funds)

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public environmental label “Milieukeur” for products, which are less damaging to environment, www.milieukeur.nl • Code of Condutct for Dutch companies (similar social label Beligum) • Since the year 2000 organic farms are eligible for a tax free allowance for sustainable producers. For this 20 million Guilders (9.1 million Euro) have been made available for the year 2000. • Organic farmers and producers of organic products who obtain at least 70 percent of their turnover selling organic products can deduct up to 22,500 Guilders (10,227 Euro) from their income taxes.


Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumer Association), National Committee for International Co-operation and sustainable development (NCDO) supported by the Dutch government Goede Waar & Co, Max Havelaar 6 CSA farms with about 600 members: Strohalm and Pergola Association: promote CSA in NL;

www.strohalm.nl/bookmarks/alles, 0571 27 69 09 Green guilders system: 1000 guilders prepayment,

consumer can choose the vegetables/fruits/products what he/she takes and when. 100 producer-run box schemes (vegetables, dairy

products) Platform Biologica (http://www.platformbiologica.nl).

GENERAL Dutch Ministries: Developing Co-operation; Environment;

Social Affairs; Agriculture-Nature & Food Quality; Internal Affairs; Health-welfare & Sport; Transport- public works & water management. CSR Knowledge and Information Centre: independent,

promotes transfer of knowledge and information about CSR on national and international level, responsible for dialog between gov/NGOs/governments and citizens VBDO (Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable

Development), AM CULEMBORG; MVO-Platform , Coalition of Dutch CSOs & Trade Unions: actively promoting CSR

NORWAY

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE • Government created a separate Environmental Fund, which invests ethically • Parliament is to discuss ethical standards for the Petroleum Fund in spring 2004. • Larger investors such as life assurance companies and pension funds are taking much more interest in the issue of ethical financing FAIR TRADE • Parliament, Norwegian Ministries, some universities, some local authorities use regular fair trade coffee • Minister of Consumer Protection (Department for family issues) is engaged with social standards, fair trade products and furthers discussion with local communities, local businesses • Max Havelaar Norway, Association for Promoting Fair Trade, FLO Norwegian office, Max Havelaar Norge (The Association for Promoting Fair Trade) was founded in 1997 by 12 NGOs and grassroots organisations. Members: e.g. Norwegian Church Aid, Save the children, The Royal Norwegian Society for Development. Aims: improve North-South economic interactions and Norwegian consumers' awareness in living conditions of family farmers and agricultural workers. Promotes the sales and the consumption of Fairtrade labelled products. The association certifies that participating traders are following fair trade guidelines • The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) gives financial support to Max Havelaar since 1998 and IEH since 2000. IEH, Ethical Trade Initiativ, intitiatives Fairtrade got financial support from NORAD. Max Havelaar believes that the EEA-agreement allows local communities to

ask in their tenders for e.g. social standards or Fairtrade qualities RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Consumer Ombudsman (CO) is an independent administrative body with the

responsibility of supervising measures in the market and seek to exert influence on traders to observe the regulatory framework. The CO considers cases upon complaints from consumers and traders, but will also at his own initiative look at marketing measures. Guidelines for how to promote products as “ethical” .

http://www.forbrukerombudet.no/index.db2?id=990&frontpage=990&asset=1&subcat=5 NHO - Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry have made

guidelines for CSR. Advanced initiatives for green procurement

GENERAL Regular meetings/exchanges between government and networks. Forum is (nearly always) present on international conferences as a member of the official delegation from Norway

ETHICAL FINANCE Regulation concerning obligatory

environmental reports: report on working conditions and processes and products with an environmental impact 1999: Parliament’s decision to put

NOK 1 bn (about £75 mio.) of its Petroleum Fund into a separate Environmental Fund Ethical Guidelines for the

Government Petroleum Fund (adopted in the Parliament in 2004) FAIR TRADE • Members of the Parliament are being lobbied for a national resolution on Fair Trade (2001) • 23 Local community resolutions about ethical trade initatives (how local communities can buy fair trade products in public procurement, how to take into consideration quality, environmental criteria, social standards) • Max Havelaar and IEH is lobbying for national resolution on social standards RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Consumer Ombudsmann Guidelines:

state when companies can use the expression “ethical” and “fair trade” in promotion of products. Public Nordic Swan-Label

(Scandinavia): for products and services which are less damaging to the environment

ETHICAL FINANCE Cultura Sparebank – www.cultura.no, financing

of environmental, social and cultural projects. State Department of Finance (Environmental

fund) FAIR TRADE • Max Havelaar – www.maxhavelaar.no; • IEH, Ethical Trade Initiativ, founded in 2000 by Coop Norway, HSH, Church Aid and The Labour Union. www.etiskhandel.no RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Consumer Ombudsman,

www.forbrukerombudet.no Norwegian Consumer Council The Norwegian Forum for Environment and

Development (ForUM) is a network for Norwegian NGOs actively promoting environment and development issues. www.forumfor.no

POLAND

Activities Legislation Organisations FAIR TRADE • Fair Trade Association “Third World and Us”: promotes ethical consumption, businesses and fair trade; supports development opportunities for underprivileged producer groups (women, native populations); raises consumer awareness about the negative impact of conventional international trade on producers; protects human rights through promoting healthy environmental practice and economic security; combats discrimination of social groups and Third World nations RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION: • Federation of Greens-The cracow Group, nationwide association, network of Federation groups (1990/1997): environmental activities; runs a European campaign to disseminate knowledge on the concept of sustainable food consumption and production in Poland and to influence its practical implementation.It collaborates with environmental organisations from Spain (AEDENAT), The Netherlands (Alternative Konsument), Great Britain (SAFE Alliance), Ukraine (MAMA-86) and Hungary (Energia Klub). • Further the Federation of Greens-The Cracow Group is active in the following national initiatives: Lobbying for the development of ecological farming, promotion of social, economic and environmental potential of the Polish agricultural model, opposing the application of genetic engineering in food production, cooperation between consumer cities and surrounding producer communities in delivering fresh, local, low-cost organic food products, developing eco-co-operatives, promoting ecotourisme in rural areas, preparing the Ecological food educational kit • Polish Green Network (PZS): union of associations which implement regional initiatives and nationalwide campaigns: delivering of information concerning the environment; supporting civil initiatives to protect the environment; Information campaign on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); raises consumer awareness about the impact of choices and promotes responsible consumption (Responsible shopping campaign) • Labels: Eko-land, Eko-znak • European Business Ethics Network (EBEN), international network with different NGOs: supports ethics in businesses in the European private and public sector, in non-governmental and academic organisations; promotes ethical management and practices in all sectors of economy, in politics and society, stimulates meetings and discussions about common ethical problems and dilemmas in businesses, promotes ethical awarness in business decision-making through dissemination of information about initiatives, good practice, research, trainings, education and networking • Responsible Bussiness Forum (FOB): campaignes concerning competitiveness, improving natural environment, facilitation of exchange of experiences among companies, representatives of central, regional and local administration and non-governmental organisations; applying sustainable development and corporate sociale responsibility (CSR) principles. • Centre for Business Ethics (CEBI): promotes ethical standards in businesses GENERAL • Consumer Federation, non-governmental, independent organisation (1981):

ETHICAL FINANCE Act on Co-operative Saving and Credit

Unions, Microcredits GENERAL • The Act On Combating Unfair Competition (April 1993): set of legal regulations which, by defining practices of unfair competition, indirectly describes principles of fair trade • The Act on Competition and Consumer Protection (Dec 2000): defines practices of entrepreneurs which are prohibited due to violation of the Consumers’rights • The Act on Public Procurement will be replaced with a new Public Procurement Law (expected to be passed at the beginning of 2004) and should enter into force at the latest upon Poloand’s accession to EU (May 2004): promotes ethic and fair solutions, competent and reliable contractors, supplies and works. • Ministry of Environment The act on Genetically Modified Organisms (June 2001), defines genetically modified organisms and products • The act on Ecological (organic) farming (March 2001): regulates the conditions of ecological (organic) agricultural production and agro-food processing, the system for inspection and certification of these activities, the labelling of ecological (organic) farming products, the methods of storage and transport • The act on Payment Periods in Trade (Sept 2001): protects creditors and prevents negative consequences of exploiting, principle of contractual freedom • The act on Prices (July 2001), establishes a general rule of freedom to fix prices between contracting parties, which can be restricted pursuant to specific provisions of the Act; defines the entrepreneur’s obligation to indicate

ETHICAL FINANCE Bank for Socio-Economic Initatives (BISE),

Warsaw, +48 22 860 1100, www.bise.pl Fond MIKRO, www.funduszmikro.com.pl,

[email protected] , A.Czarnomska, tel:+48 22 629 00 92, Warszawa

MFC Microfinance centre www.mfc.org.pl, E-mail: [email protected], A.Pyziel, tel:+48 22 622 34 65, Warszawa SKOKi, www.skok.pl, E-mail: [email protected], tel:

+48 58 55 09 600, Sopot; bank cooperation with aspects of solidarity-finance; Savings and Credit Cooperative institution (quasi-bank), non profit, founded with the idea of mutual support and solidarity for the improvement of social relations, social stability of local collectives, promotes the responsibility and idea of enterprises, promotes savings and a responsible financial management TISES.A, Limited Society, member of FEBEA and

SEFEA: promotion of ethical savings and credit/rent and the development of fair economy, fair trade, stimulates the creation of small and medium venture; Ms A. Krolikowska, +48 22 8601118, www.tise.com.pl, [email protected] FAIR TRADE • Fair Trade Association “Third World and Us”, « Trzeci SWiat i My », [email protected], tel: +48 58 34 55 100, +48 604 580 140, Gdansk-Wrzeszcz, Tel. +48 58 3455100, www.sprawiedliwyhandel.org • First Fair trade product “Taste of Liberty “ – “Smak Wolnosci”, - Café Sustainable « Mut Vitz », www.smakwolnosci.com, [email protected], B. Dziedzic, tel:+48 501 46 32 42, Lodz (independent society (2003), coffee import RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION: • Polish Green Network (PZS): www.ekokonsument.pl, www.zielonasiec.pl Krakow, tel.0048 12 422 59 06, [email protected] • Federation of Greens-The cracow Group, [email protected] Tel.+48 12 6315730 • Consumer Federation: www.federacja-

protection of an individual consumer right against prohibited and deceiving practices of companies, banks, etc.; initiating pro-consumer changes in legislation; working in standardisation and certification commissions; Member of European Consumer Organisation ( BEUC) • Council for Sustainable Development: founded by the Council of Ministry (September 2002), organ of opinion and council mission: verifies rules of sustainable development and governmental projects (documents: redaction of analyses); members: private societies, NGOs, local authorities, syndicates) • Polish Organization of Trade and Distribution, association of retail and distribution companies: deals with issues that regulate conditions of free trade, rights of the consumers. Project : adaptation of the consumers’ protection in Poland to the European standards. • Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (OCCP) (UOKiK), public institution to protect free competition and consumers’ interests on the state level; undertakes initiatives in the ethical financing and fair trade field. Council for Competition and Consumer Protection, (2003): facilitates the dialogue

between entrepreneurs, NGOs, distinguished scientists and research institutes for the implementation of different policies. Its Committee for Electronic Trade and Telecommunications elaborates within the framework of the Council (July 2002) a code of good practices (business-to-business/consumer/public) Institute of Home Market and Consumption: observes, analyses and forecasts

market phenomena and processes, consumption. • Institute for sustainable Development: promotes sustainable development and transport development with the programme “The Alternative Transport Development Policy in Poland following the principles of Sustainable Development”, www.ine-isd.org.pl • Transparency International in Poland, independent association (1998): elimination of corruption, promotion of ethical standards in economy and fair trade • Responsible Care: programme (1980s), supervision by the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry-Employers Organisation, which delegated the tasks of promotion, identification of guidelines and content-related supervision to the Responsible Care Chapter. The programms deals with the following topics: environment, health and safety, product handling (life cycle analysis, product management), transport safety, safe co-operation and logistics; www.rc.com.pl • Banking Ombudsman: protects consumers against unfair financial practices of the banks, resolution adopted by Polish Bank Association (PBA), (July 2001) • Insuance consumer Advocate: protects the interests of the weakest market participants, insurance consumers. Appointed by the Ministry of Finance, www.rz.gov.pl • District/municipal consumer advocates, responsible for representing and protecting consumers rights on the disrict/municipal level • Polish Chamber of Commerce: concentrated in 15 thematic Committees, operates in the scope of ethical financing, fair trade and responsible consumption; organisation of the business self-government movement, stimulates consumer and investment demand coupled with cost reduction. • Global compact 2001: 176 polish enterprises

unit prices of goods and services at the location where the retail sale of goods or services takes place. • The act on Local Taxes and Fees (Jan 1991): justifies the special functions and convictions that social and environmental goals which they serve should be supported • The act on Agricultural Tax (Nov 1984) • The act on Forest Tax (Oct 2002) • Law on Activitiy of public utility and volontariat (April 2003)

konsument.org.pl +48 228275105, [email protected], Warszawa • Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (OCCP), Warszawa, Tel: +48 22 55 60 800, www.uokik.gov.pl • Institute of Home Market and Consumption: Warszawa, Tel: +48 22 628 55 85, + 48 22 628 24 79, www.irwik.waw.pl, [email protected] Responsible Care, Ms Ozimek-Nowakowska,

Wloclawek, Tel. +48 54 237 21 76, +48 54 237 35 06, [email protected] European Business Ethics Network (EBEN),

Institut of Culture at University of A. Mickiewicz, Poznan, Tel. 0048 61 829 21 04, [email protected], www.eben.org Responsible Bussiness Forum (FOB),

Warszawa, Tel.0048 22 825 77 45, [email protected], www.fob.org.pl, www.Responsiblebusiness.pl Centre for Business Ethics (CEBI), www.cebi.pl Entreprise Sociale "BARKA", www.barka.org.pl,

E-mail:[email protected], B. et T. Sadowscy, tel:+48 61 851 66 78, Poznan GENERAL • Polish Organization of Trade and Distribution, www.pohid.pl, Warszawa, Tel.+48 22 625 12 48, 0048 22 625 4941, [email protected] Polish Chamber of Commerce, Warszawa, Tel.

+48 22 630 96 00, www.kig.pl Transparency International in Poland,

Warszawa, Tel: 0048 22 828 92 43-44, [email protected]; www.transparency.pl, www.transparency.org Institute For sustainable Development,ul.

Nabielaka15/1, 00-743 Warszawa, te. 0048 22 851 04 02- 03 –04, [email protected] Social Venture Network Europe, B. Rok,

[email protected] FWW Fondation for sustainable development,

www.fww.org.pl, tel:+48 22 636 25 70, Warszawa FDPA, Foundation for the polish agricultural

development, www.fdpa.org.pl, [email protected], tel:+48 22 622 52 55, Warszawa

PORTUGAL

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE • Different initiatives FAIR TRADE • Lobbying the national Parliament, awareness-raising activities • non profit organisations working for fair trade (products come from Italy and Spain, but it is intended to create projects with developing countries of Portuguese langugage like Mozambique and East Timor, Guinea Bissau) financial support for fair trade conferences

and other activites by 5 town councils since 2003 coffee break services for

conferences and meetings based on fair trade products by one specific Town Council

GENERAL • Constitution contains the principle of cooperatives, further it exist a Code in particular for the cooperatives

ETHICAL FINANCE • Fundacion Ecolgia y Deasarrollo FAIR TRADE • CIDAC – http://homepage.esoterica.pt/~cidac/index.html; Loja do Comercio Justo – [email protected] • Oikos: Lisbon – promote fair trade events (conferences, seminars) • AJP – Accao Jovem para a Paz - Coimbra: they have opened a Worldshop; they promote events for fair Trade • Associations (role world shops): Cores do Globo (Lisbon), ARCA (Faro), Aventura Marao Clube (Amarante), Reviravolta (Oporto), Alternativa (Barcelos) • Consumer Co-operatives (role world shops): Mo de Vida (Almada), Planeta Sul (Coimbra), Terra Justa (Peniche) • CPCJ – Fair Trade Portuguese Co-ordinator: created by all the Portugues organisations to promote the fair trade in the national level and to represent the movement abroad; Tel +35 1 213 172 860 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • consumer co-operative: Mo de Vida (Almada) – intervention for ethical tourism and cultural animation (with other partners in the social econmy) • AMAP - Organisations

SLOVENIA


FAIR TRADE • Društvo Humanitas (NGO), Gosposka 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Ms. Eva Marn, Director

Tel. +386 1 430 03 43, e-mail: [email protected] • Fondacija Umanotera (NGO), Ms. Erika Oblak, Director, Resljeva 20, 1000 Ljubljana,

Tel. + 386 1 439 71 00, e-mail: [email protected] Humanitas and Umanotera work in close co-operation. They want to start with opening a fair trade shop with a multicultural dimension, they want to combine these activities also with humanitarian activities.

• Slovenski etnografski muzej, Ms. Inja Smrdel, Director, Metelkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tel. + 386 1 432 53 68, fax + 386 1 432 53 77, e-mail: [email protected] This is an ethnic museum, which plans to open the first fair trade shop in Slovenia. It will include a coffee shop and a gallery where coffee will be served, jewelery and ethnic products will be sold.

SPAIN

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE There are 15 ethical funds on the Spanish market :

-5 ethical funds:( “Ethical Found” , “REAS Euskalerria fund”….) -6 ecologic funds: (“ Foundation for the ecology & development “,” Entorno foundation”) -4 exclusive equal funds: (e.g. “Accio Solidaria contra l’Atur”,” Fundacio un sol Mon) 43 mill. € invested on ethical, green and social funds in Spain (30 June

2003), see www.ecores.org With Triodos Bank, the independent financial advisor Proyecto TRUST

aims to promote sustainable investment in Spain. Triodos Bank will open its Spanish branch in 2004 as the first ethical credit entity established in the country. TB is currently offering products and services in Spain through its agent Triodos Investments and previous to 2003 through proyecto TRUST (1999-2002). a network of alternative and ecological organisations (Red de Utiles de

Financiacion Alternativa y Solidaria, RUFAS) and a bank established the first responsible savings account in Spain In the field of ethical financing, it exists in Spain the Spanish Micro-credit

Concession Fund (FCM), which main goal is to contribute to the fight against poverty countries. BBK Solidarioa Fundazioa: bank with ethical finance initiatives, the

benificiaries of the projects are e.g.: old persons which are at risk or in the situation of social exclusion or poor, social organisations; those which work with development projects; companies who work with insertion and have social initiatives. Different organisations and social movements are promoting ethical

finances through awareness raising activities A few organisations offer non-financial products (not supervised by official

authorities such as Central Banks and Investment Funds authorities) related to ethical lending: IDEAS,GAP, OIKOCREDIT, … A network of alternative and ecological organisations (Red de Utiles de

Financiacion Alternativa y Solidaria, RUFAS) and a bank established the first responsible savings account in Spain FAIR TRADE • National Forum (‘Coordinadora Estatal de Comercio Justo’) of the most important Fair Trade players (1996). There are also regional Coordinadoras. • Fair Trade Day in the regional Parliament of Galicia • Prominent institutions have switched to fair trade coffee and tea like the regional governments of Catalonia and of the Baleanric Islands, town halls in Códoba, University Centers in Cordoba and the Universidada Autonoma of Barcelona. The latter included fair trade on its criteria for formal tenders. • Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI) finances campaigns concerning fair trade • Fair Trade Party in Catalonia gathering all the fair trade organisations in

ETHICAL FINANCE • Rule on the use of “ethical”, ecological & other CSR terms in Investment Funds issued by INVERCO (Asociación de Instituciones de Inversión Colectiva y Fondos de Pensiones) 1999. • Proposition regarding Investment Funds and Pension Funds disclosure regulation on their social and environmental criteria approved by the Senate 12.2.2003 (in the process of legislation) • Law 23/1998 of 7 July on International Development cooperation: Microcredit Concession Fund • Law 50/1998 of 30 December on tax, administrative and social order measures, Article 105 • Law 61/2003 of 30 December on the 2004 General Federal Budget, Art. 56 • Royal Decree 741/2003 of 23 June on the Microcredit Concession Fund for basic social development projects abroad FAIR TRADE • Several Fair Trade related resolutions have been passed at local, regional and national level • The Law on International Development Cooperation (1998) acknowledges Fair Trade as part of the Spanish Cooperation

ETHICAL FINANCE • Triodos Bank is the first ethical bank working in Spain. At present through its agent and during 2004 with its own branch. www.triodos.es • ECODES (Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo): CRS analysts, SIRI members. www.ecores.org • FED, runs its own green or ethical investment fund; provides information for other organisations • Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion internacional – AECI: www.aeci.es; [email protected]; in charge of microcredit-fund FCM • BBK Solidarioa Fundazioa: [email protected], www.bbksolidarioa.org, REAS (equal & alternative economic net) www.reasnet.com FAIR TRADE • Importers & Distribuors/sellers: Alternativa 3 Coop V - http://www.citinv.it/equo/alternativa3/tienda.htm; Coordinadora Estatal de Comercio Justo - www.e-comerciojusto.org; [email protected] IDEAS – www.eurosur.org/~ideas-co; [email protected] Intermon – www.intermon.org; [email protected] Solidaridad Internacional – www.solidaridad.org;

the region. One weekend every year in Barcelona. Coordinated by SETEM. • Report on Fair Trade in Catalonia (2000-2002) by SETEM. SETEM is also preparing a Report on Fair Trade in Spain. • FLO certificate approved to be promoted by the Coordinadora Nacional de Comercio Justo • National, regional and local grants for Fair Trade projects within development cooperation policies & budgets

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION The region of Aragón and País Vasco provide grants to businesses willing

to implement CSR The Parliament’s Aldama Commission on Good Governance for quoted

companies includes recommendations on CSR • strategic plan for consumer’s protection: takes as reference the fair, solidary and responsible consumption as well as the sustainable development; managed by the National Institute of Consumption; includes actions like: Co-operation with other administrations promoting responsible consumption or sustainable development; external co-operation to further a fair and solidary consumption. • strategy of sustainable development establishing an integrated focus in the social, economic and environmental fields of development with the aim of a social progress, a rational use of natural resources and an economic balance (has not been passed yet) • Periodic Publications –magazines- on Responsible Consumption: OPCIONS (by CRIC), CONSUMO ÉTICO (by Asociación de Consumo Responsible de Andalucía) • Sustainable tourism is being promoted through regional associations, European, National and Regional programms/grants. • First National Plan on Organic Agriculture promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, launched in 2004. GENERAL • European Business Ethics Network (EBEN), international network with different NGOs: supports ethics in businesses in the European private and public sector, in non-governmental and academic organisations; promotes ethical management and practices in all sectors of economy, in politics and society, stimulates meetings and discussions about common ethical problems and dilemmas in businesses, promotes ethical awarness in business decision-making through dissemination of information about initiatives, good practice, research, trainings, education and networking • discussions in the Spanish Council for Development Co-operation, an institution where public authorities, NGOs, universities, trade unions, employers organizations are represented, and whose mission is to debate different affairs about development co-operation.

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Labour law promotes the employment of women, long term unemployed and handicapped people GENERAL • Constitution of 1978: help for cooperative societies • A Technical Commission on CSR within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs was created (approved by the National Parliament) on 25.11.2002), as a previous step to legal mesures on CSR

[email protected]; SETEM – www.setem.org; [email protected], Xarxa de Consum SIlidari – www.pangea.org/xarxaconsum; SODEPAU –www.sodepau.org, [email protected] COOPERACIÓ – www.cooperació.org; Other NGOs & social organisations work on awareness raising RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Asociación de Consumo Responsible de Andalucía • CRIC • Coordinadora Estatal de ONGD: [email protected]; www.congde.org [email protected]

SWEDEN

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE The building blocks of responsible investment in

Sweden are cooperative banks (e.g. JAK since1968 and Ekobanken) and about 40 funds that focus on the environment, health and human rights. Amongst these, 80-85% exclude tobacco, weapons and alcohol industries from their investments. Nordiska Sparlan: responsible investment

activities According to CaringCompany, (name changed to

GES Investment Services) a Swedish rating agency, responsible investment now represents kr 27 billion (approx. € 3b, 3.3% of total investment). Environmental criteria were defined with a certain degree of flexibility, which led the Swedish media last year to claim that most Swedish environmental funds were a misnomer. FAIR TRADE • Prominent users of fair trade coffee like ministry of Envrionment and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Advanced initiatives for green procurement

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Public Nordic Swan-Label (Scandinavia): for products

and services which are less damaging to the environment

ETHICAL FINANCE

Cooperative banks: JAK and Ekobanken Nordiska Sparlan) Rating Agencies: Caring Company, now GES

Investment Services, [email protected]; http://www.ges-invest.com/

FAIR TRADE • Alternativ Handel – www.alternativhandel.com; • Foereningen foer Raettvisemaerkt – www.raettvist.se; key organisation taking care of the branding of consumer products and information about fair trade issues. • Sackeus – www.sackeus.se; • Vaerldsbutikerna foer Raettvis Handel – www.varldsbutikerna.org: are mainly working with information campaigns and are running about 30 Fair Trade stores around the country. • Four import companies, connected to the IFAT-network (International Fair Trade Organisation) 1. Rättvis Handel Import (www.rattvishandel.se) 2. Sackeus (www.sackeus.se) 3. North & South Fair Trade - no website 4. La Maison Afrique - primarily selling goods to

Världsbutikerna RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Råd och Rön (www.radron.se) Consumer Magazine issued by Konsumentverket (www.kov.se ) • government body “Sveriges Konsumenter i Samverkan” (www.konsumentsamverkan.se), organisation working for sustainable consumption

SWITZERLAND

Activities Legislation Organisations ETHICAL FINANCE Swiss responsible funds in general combine a focus on innovation in the

environmental or sustainability fields, best-of-sector criteria and strict exclusionary screens. Responsible investment volumes tripled between 1999 and 2000 and now represent SFr5.5 billion (€3.6b, 0.1% of total investment). Various pension funds, either directly or through the Ethos Foundation,

include human rights, labour standards and environmental criteria in their investment policy. Switzerland hosts three rating agencies - the Fribourg-based Centre Info

(member of the SIRIGroup), SAM Sustainable Asset Management and Eco-Rating International, both based in Zürich. Increasing interest in SRI funds by institutional investors (larger investments

by the federal pension fund or first pillar buffer fund in SRI funds, success of Ethos) Local authority investors have used Ethos, a research collective, to identify

suitable sustainable investments for their funds FAIR TRADE National Forum on Fair Trade (1999) Prominent organisations like governments departments (regional and

national), Swiss Airline, International Committee of the Red Cross use fair trade products Public authorities support different fair trade labels: label STEP (carpets),

label Max Havelaar (nurriture) Max Havelaar: The introduction of the Max Havelaar label (agricultural sector)

was supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) between 1992 and 2000. STEP-Label: STEP is a label for handmade carpets. It meets ecological and

social criteria, mainly with regard to of child-labor and women’s rights. Seco supports the set-up of this labeling organisation between 1996 and 2005. • Market share of fair trade coffee: 5%, Orange juice 7%!! • Official financial support for fair trade by the national authorities (e.g. sensibilisation campaigns) • Fair Trade Fair Berne and Cancun 2003: To promote the idea of “Fair Trade” in Switzerland and among the participants of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) financed a “Fair trade Fair” in the Swiss Capital and at the NGO side-event in Cancun in 2003.

ETHICAL FINANCE • Despite the legal requirement for corporate pension funds, until now no SRI disclosure rule for pension funds or other investment vehicles exists; in discusssion • Interpellation Nr. 01.3057: Demand to the Federal Council (Bundesrat), if it is possible to further such investments, which take into considerations also social, ecological and ethical criteria FAIR TRADE • Some regional authorities have issued recommendations to consider Max Havelaar labelled coffee for their canteens • Report of the Commission for Foreign Policies, “Fair Trade with developing countries” 18. February 2002: Commission agreed that the “Petition in favour of fair trade” of the Swiss Federal Institut Youth Session is forwarded to the Upper House (Bundesrat) to take notice.

ETHICAL FINANCE

Rating Agencies: e.g. Centre info Zuerich –www.centreinfo.ch; SAM Fribourg- Sustainable Asset Management - www.sam-group.com Eco-Rating international - www.eco-

rating.com Banks, e.g. Alternative Bank Schweiz

(www.abs.ch): Ethical saving, investment and financing; Umwelt- und Sozialresearch der Zuercher Kantonalbank; Freie Gemeinschaftsbank BCL – www.gemeinschaftsbank.ch: Ethical saving, investment and financing according to the principles of Rudolf Steiner Mutual Funds, e.g. Ethos Foundation -

www.ethosfund.ch FAIR TRADE • Association romande des Magasins du Monde – [email protected]; • Caritas Schweiz Fairness Handel – www.caritas.ch; • Claro AG – www.claro.ch, Fair trade retail organisation • STEP-Foundation: www.step-foundation.ch : Labeling organisation for handmade carpets (fair working conditions, no abuse of child-labor, ecological production). • Intermediate Monitoring Project of the Clean Clothes Campaign (IMP) :It is planned to set-up a monitoring unit for the Clean Clothes Codex (based on the ILO core labor standards). First information can be found on www.bfa-ppp.ch. • Max Havelaar Foundation Switzerland – www.maxhavelaar.ch, Fair Trade Labelling organisation for agricultural products; 2005: intention to offer a fair trade Label for textiles

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Public authorities support ILO in their work to promote voluntary labels LINK Label: social label for consumer products (clothing and garments)

which can guarantee certain working conditions, www.amana-limited.com Label “Engagement – MIGROS”: Label for products which have been

produced with special ecological, social, animal friendly criteria (comprehensive engagement of Migros for human beings, animals and nature), www.migros.ch Advanced initiatives for green procurement, information at the

Environmental State Agency BUWAL, www.buwal.ch “Interessensgemeinschaft ecological procurement”, www.igoeb.ch Website for environmental and social labels: www.labelinfo.ch “Intermediate Monitoring Project” (IMP) of the Clean Clothes Campaing: The

project to set-up a monitoring unit for the Clean Clothes Codex is supported and co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) in the framework of its Economic development Co-operation. Timeframe: until 2006. ORGANIC FARMING: In Switzerland organic farming is promoted with direct

payments to Swiss farmers and marketing contributions for the promotion of organic products on the Swiss market. GENERAL Support to the set-up of independent organic certification agencies in

Developing Countries and Eastern Europe: With this program, the state secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) aims at enabling the partner Organisations to overcome the barrier of certification and to gain access to the growing organic market in Switzerland and the EU. Such projects are in implementation in India (INDOCERT, Bulgaria (Balkan Biocert) and Romania (SC Ecoinspect SRL). EMERGING MARKETS: Cleaner Production Centers (CPC): With the support

to the establishment of CPCs, seco seeks to assist SME’s in developing countries and economies in transition to be able to fulfil the basic ecological and social requirements of a sustainable production. CPCs are counseling SME’s in questions linked to eco-efficiency, ecological standards and the ILO core labor standards. CPCs are being supported in India, Vietnam, Egypt, Marocco, Central America, Colombia and Brasil. Two new projects are in preparation in Bulgaria and Romania. Labour and social standards: Still in line with assistance to SME’s, seco also

funds an ILO project in South Africa with the aim of providing export-oriented firms with long-term consultancy services and training so that these firms may adapt their labour conditions to internationally accepted standards. This in turn should enable them to meet the conditions for sustainable participation in global production chains and improve their chances of competitiveness in the global market. Moreover, seco supports an ILO project in Chinese EPZs which is providing training and consulting services to government policy makers, management and workers of enterprises in EPZs in HR Development & Management and LR Management.

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMTION • Organic Agriculture, SR 910.181: Verordnung über die biologische Landwirtschaft (the Swiss legislation on organic agriculture) • Law for the promotion of agriculture: favours agriculture which takes into account social and environmental aspects (Grand Conseil of the Republic and Canton of Geneva – PL9122, M 1474-A) • Law concerning the prohibition of GMO in the Canton Tessin; in Geneve in preparation • Label: proximité qualité approximité, “Terre-Avenir” (Geneva) • Law concerning land use regulation, 22/6/1979, FF 1996 FIII, 485, RS 700, RO 2000 2042, Art.16: reserves a certain surface of land for agriculture • Motion Nr. 02.3519 for an ethical certificate for enterprises: demands a label for the ethical behaviour of enterprises

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • producer-consumer co-operatives, direct marketing of farm products, particular in suppling restaurants, for example: Cooperative les Jardins de Cocagne: responsible consumption, sharing the harvest, 1233 Bern, Canton of Geneve, Tel.: 756 34 45, www.cocagne.ch

BIO SUISSE - www.bio-suisse.ch : Association of the Swiss organic farmers and owner of the registered trade mark “KNOSPE” (bud). In Switzerland around 10% of the farmers are producing according to the standards of BIO SUISSE. DEMETER-Verband Schweiz -

www.demeter.ch : Association of the bio-dynamic farmers in Switzerland. The products are marketed under the international DEMETER-label. Research Institute for Organic

Agriculture (www.fibl.ch). FiBL is the leading research institute for organic agriculture in Switzerland and one of the biggest and most reputed of such institutions in the world.

TURKEY


GENERAL DSI : construct the infrastructure of water channels, dams, etc.

http://www.dsi.gov.tr Tueriye Halk Bankasi: state bank, which supports craftsmen, artisan and the small and medium enterprises with low-interest crediting policy; http://www.halkbank.com.tr/; [email protected] TEAS: to construct an infrastructure of electricity

http://www.teas.gov.tr TEDAS: to distribute electricity in Turkey

http://www.tedas.gov.tr Karayollari Genel Mueduerluegue: to construct the infrastructure of roads, bridges, etc.

http://www.kgm.gov.tr ASELSAN: to manufacture electronical apparatus and equipments according to the last technological developments

and sell them http://aselsan.com.tr Devlet Havacihk ve Hava Meydanlari Isletmesi Genel Mueduerluegue: to repair and amend some requirements of

the public airports http://www.dhmi.gov.tr THY: to provide domestic and foreign air transportation of Turkey

http://www.thy.com.tr TPAO: to investigate the sources of oil in Turkey and to remove oil from soil

http://www.tpao.gov.tr TARIS: to pick up olive in Turkey and to manufacture olive oil; soap; etc…by processing olive and to market them;

http://www.taris.com.tr Fiskobirlik: To pick up hazelnut of Turkey and make hazelnut procuts by processing it and to market them;

http://www.fiskobirlik.org.tr TMO: to pick up agricultural products from the farmers, to store and market them when it is needed

http://www.tmo.gov.tr Sugar Refineries: to pick up the sugar beet from the farmers and process it like sugar, bagasse, etc.. and to market

them; http://www.turkseker.gov.tr

UNITED KINGDOM


ETHICAL FINANCE First ethical trust in 1984; continued growth in

SRI during the 1990s; now: £3.3 billion (€ 5.3b, 5% of total investment in 2000 according to CSR Europe) under management in ethical or SRI funds, compared to £ 912 mio. in 1995 and £280 m in 1990. During the period, the number of funds has risen from 18 to 90. According to the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum (PWBLF), responsible institutional investment in Britain amounts to £50 billion (€ 81b). Norwich Union launched six « Sustainable

Future Funds » based on triple bottom-line criteria and targeted at renewable energies, public transport and clean technologies. new set of indices based on screening research

performed by EIRIS (Ethical Investment Research Service) - FTSE4Good FAIR TRADE • Prominent institutions use fair trade products (tea, coffee) like local councils (about 1000), the New Mayor of London Offices (Romney House), the Department for Trade and Industry and the Department for international development, the Scottish Parliament and the House of Commons • Fairtrade Foundation Campaign Day • How to become a fair trade university, www.peopleandplanet.org/news/news.php?story=447 • Fair Trade Towns initative, The Fairtrade Foundation; [email protected]; www.fairtrade.org.uk; +44 2074055942 • Jersey Island public authorities voted for fair trade principles (9 March 2004) • Triodos Bank and Fairtrade pioneers, Cafédirect, have launched a share issue (UK’s leading Fairtrade hot drinks company) to raise £ 5 mio. to help one of the UK’s most exciting ethical companies to continue to grow • Fair Trade Roses from 2 farms in Kenya • Young co-operatives: initiative helping school students and other young people aged 13-18 to set up and run their own fairtrade co-operatives (launched at the House of Commons)

ETHICAL FINANCE

Occupational Pension Schemes - Pensions Disclosure Regulation (July 2000): pension funds have to disclose social, environmental information (prospects for a yet larger increase in responsible investment are favourable) Finance Act, CITR Scheme: tax incentives

for social investments Statutory Insturment 96 of 2003: The

community Investment Tax Relief regulations: regulations concerning the criteria for the accreditation of community development finance institutions, reporting requirements Company law: disclosure regulations

http://www.dti.gov.uk/cld/pdfs/ofr_condoc.pdf FAIR TRADE • About 54 local authorities have passed fair Trade resolutions • Office of Government Commerce issued guidelines (March 2004) about how government procurement offices can source Fairtrade foods. • Oxfam‘Global Partners’ guide/handbook: Fair Trade and local authorities: How to support global sustainable development in your in your locality (Handbook)

ETHICAL FINANCE • TRIODOS Bank: managing money in a social conscious way; www.triodos.co.uk ; Social Investment Forum (UKSIF): www.uksif.org, info@uksiforg, encourages SRI, including ethical and green investment, shareholder activism, social banking and community finance. • Charity Bank, www.charitybank.org, [email protected] • Friends of Earth, www.foe.co.uk • Co-operative Bank, www.co-operativebank.co.uk • Ecology Building Society, www.ecology.co.uk • Ethical Investors Group, www.oneworld.org, Ethical Investment Services, [email protected] , Friends Provident, www.friendsprovident.co.uk Holden Meehan, www.holden-meehan.co.uk , UK Social Investment Forum, www.uksif.org, Social Investment Forum, www.socialinvest.org • Rating agencies: A number of rating agencies, independent financial advisors and asset management firms specialise in SRI, e.g. EIRIS, www.eiris.org FAIR TRADE • British Assoc. for Fair Trade Shops – [email protected], +44 191 3847173; Cafedirect Ltd – www.cafedirect.co.uk; Equal Exchange Trading Ltd – www.equalexchange.co.uk; Fairtrade Foundation – www.fairtrade.org.uk; One World Shop – www.oneworldshop.co.uk; Oxfam Fair Trade – www.oxfam.org.uk; Shared Earth – www.sharedearth.co.uk; Traidcraft Plc – www.traidcraft.co.uk; TWIN Trading – www.twin.org.uk ; IFAT – International Federation for Alternative Trade – www.ifat.org; Shared Interest – www.shared-interest.com; Young co-operatives – www.youngcooperatives.org.uk ;

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • Public money (Lottery Community Fund)was given to the Soil Association (www.soilassociation.org) to develop CSAs , 3 year project “Cultivating Communities” • Increasing interest and recognition of the benefits of local food in the area of public procurement (local food for public institutions such as schools and hospitals); (CSA - local food initiatives with added social benefits – are good candidates for future funding and policy support) • Food links UK (federation of local food links organisations: document Feeding the Future – policy options for local food ISBN: 190 306 0346 • Scotland: 63.5 Mio.£ for 3 years to fund a programme of school meal reform (local organic food) • Scotland: Green Tourism-Business-Scheme, environmental label for tourism businesses • Advanced initiatives for green procurement

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION Government’s Organic Action Plan (OAP)

encourages public procurement of locally produces organic food Government CSR report (2004) Framework for Sustainable Consumption

and Production GENERAL • Companies limited by guarantee (lucrative organisations of the social economy) • Charity statute

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION • About 100 Community supported Agriculture Associations, www.cuco.org.uk, [email protected], e.g. Dragon Orchard Cropsharers: share of the countryside and the harvest; www.dragonorchard.co.uk, [email protected] ; Willing workers on Organis Farms (WWOF): www.wwoof.org, provides voluntary work on organic farms • Soil Association: www.soilassociation.org, [email protected], funded 3 years project to promote and create Community Supported Agriculture schemes; Local Food Works, Soil Association: [email protected], www.localfoodworks.org; Foundation for Local Food Initatives (FFLFI): www.localfood.org.uk/projects, appraisal of a CSA project, looks at the potential of community agriculture and food co-ops to build health and a sense of community in disadvantaged areas • AlterEco: organises seminars, publishes information on CSA, credit unions, food co-ops and housing co-ops, www.scotweb.co.uk/environment/climate/AlterEco/csa • Brickhurst Permaculture Group: www.keme.co.uk/~joe-d/brickhurst , development of a permaculture-based CSA • Caledonia: Centre for Sustainable Development: www.caledonia.org.uk/socialland/earthsa, cas study from Scotland under the theme of social land ownership; account of the history, principles, legal structure, finances and plans for the future of Earth Share – Moray’s first CSA • Global Ideas Bank: www.globalideasbank.org, summary of an article on CSA; promoting socially innovative non-technological ideas and projects • Shell Better Britain Campaign: www.sbbc.co.uk/resources/ls/ls_169: online information sheet, initative to promote and support community action on environmental issues • University of Essex: www.essex.ac.uk/ces, site for the Centre for Environment and Society, promotes a multi-disciplined approach to sustainable development; interesting texts on sustainable agriculture and community participation; Wye University: www.wye.ac.uk/foodlink/commag, introduces CSA concept • Community composting network: [email protected]; Community recycling network: www.crn.org.uk; Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens: www.farmgarden.org.uk, promotes, supports groups engaged in community-led development of open space through locally managed farming; Friends of the Earth: www.foe.co.uk, campaigns for sustainable farming; Land Heritage: www.landheritage.org.uk/intro; acquires land and makes tenancies available to families committed to organic husbandry; New Economics Foundation: www.neweconomics.org, approaches for a just and ustainable economy; National Federation of Credit Unions: support for community groups wishing to set up credit unions

Documents

FINDINGS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON ETHICAL FINANCE, FAIR TRADE AND RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION