Diakonieverbund Schweicheln prepares ECG Group report

The Diakonieverbund Schweicheln e. V. has prepared an ECG group report, which was to be revised in a two-day workshop in preparation for the subsequent audit and optimally prepared for the dialogue with the auditors. The workshop was designed and conducted by Dr Anke Butscher, Managing Director of corsus, and Gerd Lauermann from Gemeinwohlökonomie Nord e. V. (economy for the common good). The two-day workshop took place on 27 February and 28 February 2024 in Herford. Representatives from the facilities, companies and central administration took part.

A common good balance sheet serves as an instrument for the transparent presentation of the social, ecological and economic impact of a municipality or company and as a contribution to the common good. By drawing up a common good balance sheet, they show that they are aware of their social and ecological responsibility and are committed to sustainable development. Social responsibility and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in today’s world. The balance sheet serves to create comparability between different companies/municipalities. Contact groups such as suppliers, owners, financial partners and employees are analysed. In addition, the aforementioned and other stakeholders are analysed from the perspective of the values of human dignity, solidarity and justice, environmental sustainability, as well as transparency and co-decision-making. The assessment is then based on indicators. For example, an indicator for human dignity in the supply chain would be that attention is paid to risks in the supply chain where human dignity is frequently violated.

In Schweicheln, the assessment offered the diaconal organisation the opportunity to identify its strengths and weaknesses in terms of social and ecological aspects and to identify specific measures to improve its performance and take them over the next two years. The self-assessment in the report was discussed interactively and the participants engaged in dialogue. They joined forces to think together and act accordingly in the future. Through the ECG assessment, the Diaconia Association was encouraged to critically scrutinise its own practices, processes and decisions.

It was particularly important for the Schweicheln Diaconal Association to work out the connection between pedagogy and sustainability. As a youth welfare organisation that works closely with children and young people, they want to pass on sustainable concepts, such as those developed at corsus, to young people and thus make a positive contribution.

After the workshop, those responsible at the diaconal association finalised the report and submitted it to the auditors a few days ago. corsus congratulates them on submitting the report to the auditors as a sign of their commitment to a sustainable future and their commitment to the values of the Economy for the Common Good.