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- Study guide
- Module 1
- Topic 1: What is Student Digital Civic Engagement?
- Topic 2: How is Digital Civic Engagement Impacting Universities (and Beyond)?
- Topic 3: What Competences do Student Civic Engagers Develop?
- Topic 4: What does Student Digital Civic Engagement Look Like in Practice?
- Evaluation test for module 1
- Resources and further studies (Module 1)
- Module 2
- Topic 1: Problems that need solving – spotlight on global issues
- Topic 2: Improving your community through civic engagement
- Topic 3: Taking a service-learning approach to an DCE project
- Topic 4: DCE is building your competency levels. Here are the opportunities
- Evaluation test for module 2
- Resources and further studies (Module 2)
- Module 3
- Topic 1: What Do Great Digital Civic Engagement Projects Include?
- Topic 2: Getting Involved In Your First Digital Civic Engagement Project/ Initiative
- Topic 3: Using Technology To Enhance Your Civic Engagement Work
- Topic 4: Designing/ Delivering Digital Civic Engagement Solutions
- Evaluation test for module 3
- Resources and further studies (Module 3)
- Module 4
- Module 5
- Topic 1: Estimating Project Costs And Financial Needs
- Topic 2: Spotlight On Lean Start Up and Sustainable Business Model Canvas
- Topic 3: Crowdfunding Your Civic Engagement Projects /Causes
- Topic 4: Leveraging the power of corporate social responsibility
- Evaluation test for module 5
- Resources and further studies (Module 5)
- Module 6
- Topic 1: Why Building Credibility, Trust and Relationships are Key
- Topic 2: Cultivating and Growing a Student Civic Engagement Community
- Topic 3: Spotlight on Mission Marketing
- Topic 4: Technology Tools to Help You Share and Spread Your Civic Engagement Work
- Evaluation test for module 6
- Resources and further studies (Module 6)
Topic 4: Leveraging the power of corporate social responsibility
This section highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility, and how it can be an important factor in activism and solving potential civic problems that could help to be solved. The learning outcomes of this section is to provide an understanding of corporate social responsibility and how it can be used in favour with the development of a DCE project.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is when companies take responsibility for their impact on society. It is when companies go above and beyond legislation to make a positive moral impact in the community.
CSR might look like engaging in Fairtrade practices, improved working conditions, making donations or sponsorships. CSR is increasingly important for businesses to engage in in the current climate.
Why CSR is Important?
Corporate Social Responsibility benefits everyone, from the consumer to the company itself. The consumer knows that by choosing to buy from the socially responsible business they are contributing to a good cause, and the company can increase sales, goodwill, name recognition and customer base by engaging in ethical practices. And, of course, the wider community benefits from the company engaging in CSR – including your project, hopefully!
Building a CSR Strategy
Think about what your DCE project is going to do. Where do the strengths lie? This could be anything from a solid marketing team to excellent communication within your company. Work on those strengths and lean on them throughout your CSR journey. It’s important to identify what your customers value when planning a CSR strategy. Make sure that whatever you invest in aligns with your project’s mission.
Enlist in ideas from all of your team.
Creating a CSR engagement plan within the project with key volunteers will help to build a solid CSR strategy that you can then pitch to the rest of the team. Everyone in your project needs to believe in your CSR strategy to ensure it is genuine.
Take a look at the following video which examines the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility on all sizes of business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwh93cjDeT0
Quick test
