World Chambers Competition Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Iran FINALIST New Generation Bright Horizons 1 New Generation Bright Horizons 2 Project summary Origin In Iranian ancient and present Culture, dealing with CSR Iranian Activities regarding social responsibilities enjoys matters is a ‘’must do’’ and all Iranian organizations try a very rich and old background and roots back to Iranian to have contribution in this regard. Although ECCIMA’s culture and religious beliefs. Isfahan Chamber of Com- merce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (herein after re- CSR activities has been started since its’ establishment, in ferred to as ECCIMA) has been involved in CSR projects recent years we have decided to form our CSR activities in since its establishment. With respect to the welfare level a systematic, futuristic and more efficient frame instead of reduction in developing countries and environmental is- dealing with scattered unplanned activities. In a research sues mentioned in Sustainable Development concept, pro- we recognized that in our society we have to focus on ca- posed by United Nations1, ECCIMA defined the sustain- pabilities of our youth and women, who have been kept able development as its main goal. Based on our research2 aside from the wheel of economy for many years. Their , sustainable economic development and sustainable social innovative ideas and expertise can be a great aid to reach development are the most important aspects of sustain- able development indices respectively. We had a general sustainable development. question, ‘’HOW can we play a constructive, dynamic and In this regard, we started series of strategic activities effective role in our society?’’ under the term of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) Investigations on the economic and social status of the by establishing Women Affairs and Youth Affairs Commis- province in 2014 showed that: sions in order to provide better opportunities for women • Despite the population of women, which is almost equal and youth to be involved in social and competitive econom- to the men, only 15% of them are involved in business ic activities. To make a brief description of our activities, activities. Moreover, 48.81% of women are highly educat- ed while 43.11% of them are unemployed3 . On the other we categorized our activities into two major fields: hand, male-dominated culture considers men as the only source of earnings for family, which impose an intolerable • Education, consultancy and inspiring activities: In this pressure on men especially in Iran’s recent bad economic part, we tried to provide a number of training courses to conditions due to sanctions. cover all the educational requirements for women and • While the government pays for youth and women’s edu- youth in various fields from psychological to commercial cation from national budget, putting aside their capabili- subjects. Moreover, we tried to eliminate the depressing ties from social and economic activities is a sort of wasting atmosphere caused by imposed sanctions against Iran by national treasure. • There is lack of balance between young generation’s ed- designing some inspiring and motivating events like ‘’The ucational level and available job opportunities, which is Success Path’’. leading young job seekers to reach higher levels of educa- • Entrepreneurial Events: in this part, we organized sev- tion and ask for better employment conditions (higher sal- eral events to introduce innovative ideas and innovative ary, better position etc.). In case they cannot achieve their products to potential investors as well as contributing to goals, these talented and elite youth might immigrate to participation of women and youth in international events. abroad seeking better job opportunities and higher life The significant upward trend in the number of women and welfare. youth involved in the business and economic activities, no- These factors convinced us to concentrate on women and youth empowerment activities. ticeable increase in commercial cards issued by the cham- ber for women and youth, increase in women and youth 1. The future we want, 11 September 2012, United Nations Gener- self-reliance and self-confidence as the result of the im- al Assembly 2. Prioritizing sustainable Development indices in Isfahan Prov- plementation of CSR programs motivate us for our future ince,13/06/2013, Reza Sepahvand & Mohsen Aref Nejad projects. 3. Statistical Center of Iran New Generation Bright Horizons 3 Description ECCIMA initiated strategic and integrated activities with Education, consultancy and inspiring activities the purpose of increasing women and youth participation Isfahan chamber of commerce provides great number of in economic activities in 2014. Our pre studies on the case educational courses to increase competitiveness in women showed that although the majority of women and youth and youth as well as SMEs. were highly educated, they need some especial expertise to 1. Training Courses and Consultancy: successfully participate in the economic activities. more- ECCIMA offers its members a package of courses with over, there were social and personal restrictions in order to the price of 4000 USD consisting 40 technical courses an- be involved in economic and social activities: nually as well as consultancy in these fields. It is worthy • Social obstacles: few job opportunities in limited fields, to mention that all the courses are free to attend for wom- sexism against women in the workplace due to the tradi- en and people under 40. Main topics of the courses are: tional beliefs, unequal salary, rights and behavior toward Marketing, Branding and advertisement, import and ex- women, low job security, lack of facilities such as insur- port regulation and custom services, law, arbitration and ance, male-dominated culture in the workplace mediation regulations, taxation, innovation development, • Family and Personal obstacles: significant decrease in logistics and transportation, banking and financial affairs, time spent with family members, difficulties for taking care and also MBA courses. According to our surveys over 79.44 of children during work hours, higher possibility of getting percent of participants in courses found them fruitful. divorce for employed women, exhaustion due to both work and home duties for employed women, higher chance of 2. ‘’The Young Merchants’’ training courses illness caused by stress and anxiety in work place, lower In 2013, Isfahan chamber established an elementary level of self-confidence in women, lack of awareness about school in Varzaghan -an Earthquake-stricken city in East Azer- their legal and social rights in the work environment. baijan province of Iran- with the purpose of reviving an ed- ucational department for children in the region. We also Although CSR projects should not rely on governmental provided some pre elementary business training courses supports, the role and effects of the government is unde- for the students and received great positive feedbacks. We niable. In this regard, Isfahan Chamber of Commerce as found that to have a dynamic economy, we have to pay a a non-governmental organization started its negotiations 4 especial attention to the children by providing educational with governmental sector of the province thorough PPDC infrastructures for teenagers. That is why we decided to channel to inform the government about mentioned obsta- organize Young Merchants courses for children and teen- cles and to find a solution for them. agers from 7 to 15 in Isfahan Chamber to introduce our On the other hand, ECCIMA organized several meetings young generation with entrepreneurship and trade con- with the Supreme Leader’s representative in Isfahan cepts as well as helping them to experience team working. province, Governor General of the province, City Mayor, and other authorities. The main purpose of these meetings 3. ‘’ The Success Path’’ event was to inform government about the challenges that wom- According to our surveys and number of attendants, this en and youth are confronting in the society and to provide event is among the most favorable activities of ECCIMA; better infrastructure for the participation of women and in which we invite the most prosperous entrepreneurs to youth in economic activities. share their experiences, obstacles they faced and over- To lift personal obstacles we established Women Affairs came, turning point of their lives and their recommenda- and Youth Affairs Commissions and navigated activities tions to business beginners. to empower women and youth by increasing self-confidence and self-reliance and consequently competitiveness in them. 4 PPDC: ‘’Public and Private sector Dialogue Council’’ in Iran’s Chambers of Commerce. It is a useful way to be directly connected After providing required infrastructure in the society, our with government’s decision makers and to inform them about the main mission, could more efficiently started. Our efforts in requirements of the society since the Governor General transfers re- economically empowering women and youth were catego- sults of these negotiations to top governmental authorities and the rized in to two main fields: parliament representative to legislate proper laws. PPDC of Isfahan • Education, consultancy and inspiring activities has been awarded as the most active PPDCs of Iran since 2014 for •Entrepreneurial Events 3 consecutive years. New Generation Bright Horizons 4 _Entrepreneurial