On 29 November 2007 CSR Europe hosted in Brussels the third European MarketPlace on Corporate Social Responsibility. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena was there, being selected for the innovative approach to social matters. A kind of recognition that only 8 Italian companies have received this year.
A record number of 650 participants attended this year’s MarketPlace. Around 90 innovative company solutions to CSR challenges were presented as well as the ongoing activities of 16 European CSR Laboratories.
MPS Bank presented the Project “Granting the underserved”: commitments and actions to counter social marginalization. Good results have been achieved so far. A broad range of tailor-made products and services are offered to immigrants, temporary workers, low income customers at very favourable conditions. In addition, a microfinance company (www.microcreditosolidale.eu) was established to address the needy and counter usury.
Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise and Industry, and Vladimir Spidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, opened the event. The Vice-President stressed the “businesses’ cooperation and the involvement of stakeholders can make a key contribution to the uptake of CSR in Europe and helps to advance corporate social responsibility in the EU as a tool to strengthen the competitiveness of our economy”.
