Belgium

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility is a relatively recent concept in Belgium but there has been a significant increase in its awareness since 1995. In May 1997, a legal framework for sustainable development was set up in the country. In April 2006, the government adopted a Reference Framework for CSR which was followed in 2007 by the CSR action plan. In addition to governmental initiatives, the number of actors and fora involved in CSR matters has significantly increased, thus resulting in several CSR initiatives. However, it would be inaccurate to suggest that CSR is a well established concept or a popular practice in corporate Belgium. Indeed, CSR in Belgium offers great disparities and diversities. Based on multiple sources of information, the paper provides a descriptive and narrative view of CSR in Belgium, gradually leading towards a reflection of its prac tice in the country towards the end of the paper. After a brief overview of the context for corporate social responsibility in Belgium, the paper investigates the different components that have acted to shape the idea of CSR since the 1970s. Subsequently, it explores how corporate entities in Belgium practice CSR. The chapter concludes by examining the progress that has been made to date in Belgium in the area of corporate social responsibility and its future prospects.