PROGRAM DETAILS

Program Overview

In today’s interconnected and socially conscious business environment, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder engagement have evolved from optional initiatives to critical components of sustainable business strategy. This comprehensive 5-day training program is designed to empower leaders, managers, and corporate professionals with the tools and insights necessary to design and implement responsible, ethical, and impactful CSR programs. By integrating stakeholder interests into strategic planning and execution, organizations can create long-term value, enhance brand reputation, mitigate risks, and foster meaningful relationships with communities, regulators, investors, and employees.

This course delves into the strategic dimensions of CSR, exploring how corporate actions influence and are influenced by a wide array of stakeholders. Participants will examine global CSR trends, frameworks such as ESG and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and methods for measuring and reporting impact. Practical case studies, simulations, and stakeholder mapping exercises will be used to deepen understanding and enhance implementation capability. The program also emphasizes transparent communication, ethical leadership, and inclusive stakeholder dialogue as drivers of resilience, trust, and performance.

By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to lead CSR efforts that align with both corporate goals and societal expectations, and to engage stakeholders in ways that promote shared value and organizational legitimacy.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the strategic value of CSR in contemporary organizations.

• Design and implement CSR strategies aligned with corporate vision and global frameworks.

• Identify and analyze key stakeholders using mapping and engagement tools.

• Develop effective stakeholder engagement plans and communication strategies.

• Integrate ESG principles and SDGs into CSR programs and reporting.

• Assess and measure the social and business impact of CSR initiatives.

• Lead ethical and sustainable practices within the organization and across supply chains.

Target Audience

• Senior managers and executives responsible for corporate strategy and sustainability.

• CSR and ESG officers, sustainability managers, and public affairs professionals.

• Communication, PR, and corporate affairs personnel.

• HR and organizational development professionals.

• Government relations and stakeholder liaison officers.

• Professionals involved in community development, philanthropy, or NGO partnerships.

Training Methodology

• Interactive lectures and expert-led presentations

• Case studies from global CSR leaders and failures

• Group discussions and peer learning activities

• Stakeholder mapping and scenario planning exercises

• Video analyses and real-world problem-solving workshops

• Practical toolkits and templates for immediate application

• Reflection journals and guided action planning

5-Day Course Content

Day 1: Foundations of Corporate Social Responsibility

• Evolution and definitions of CSR

• Drivers and benefits of CSR for business and society

• CSR vs. philanthropy vs. ESG: understanding the distinctions

• Global standards and frameworks

• Case study: CSR successes and failures in corporate history

Day 2: Strategic CSR Planning and Alignment

• Embedding CSR into business strategy and culture

• Stakeholder theory and materiality analysis

• Aligning CSR with core business goals and risk management

• Integrating CSR into value chains and operations

• Tools for assessing CSR readiness and maturity

Day 3: Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Identifying, prioritizing, and mapping stakeholders

• Strategies for stakeholder engagement: consultation, participation, co-creation

• Communicating CSR: transparency, ethics, and storytelling

• Building partnerships with NGOs, governments, and communities

• Role play and simulation: managing conflicting stakeholder interests

Day 4: ESG, Measurement, and Reporting

• Introduction to ESG and responsible investment trends

• Developing KPIs and impact metrics for CSR initiatives

• Reporting and disclosure frameworks: GRI, SASB, TCFD

• Auditing, assurance, and ethical compliance

• Interactive workshop: creating a sample CSR report outline

Day 5: Leadership, Ethics, and the Future of CSR

• The ethical leader and responsible corporate governance

• Crisis management and CSR reputation recovery

• CSR trends: digital transformation, climate action, DEI

• Building a CSR implementation roadmap

• Group presentations and individual action plans