The 4th CSR Future Lab took place in Karlsruhe on 7 April 2025, an event that brings business owners, CSR experts and social actors together to exchange views on corporate social responsibility (CSR). This time we hosted this regular event series as a mid sized company and, together with 25 participants from various fields, gathered valuable impulses and discussed them intensively.
The CSR Future Lab encourages exchange and mutual advice in a safe space that allows open, trusting discussion. At a time of rising expectations around sustainability and social responsibility, it provides an important setting for developing pragmatic, sound solutions for companies.
What does CSR mean?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) stands for the responsibility of companies to make a positive contribution to social and environmental challenges beyond what the law requires. It is about encouraging sustainable practice, creating fair working conditions and supporting social projects. From our point of view as a mid sized family business, CSR and taking on responsibility towards society have always been a firm part of the DNA of mid sized companies.
Topics at the CSR Future Lab
The central question at the event was: by what route and with which instruments can the effect of CSR measures be measured?
The event offered not only valuable discussion and expert contributions but also deeper insight into current CSR topics:
- CSR: a route to measurability and impact. The discussion of CSR work made clear how important it is to tie it to clear strategies and measurable goals. Companies that successfully connect environmental and social initiatives can achieve lasting impact and evaluate their CSR measures deliberately.
- Partnerships as a success factor. Successful CSR work relies on strong partnerships with NGOs and foundations and on clear support from the company's leadership. Only then can the effect of CSR measures be increased for the long term and resonate widely in society.
- Measuring the effect of CSR measures. CSR measures should be judged not by the effort they take but above all by their actual effect, environmentally, socially, economically and ethically. Combining qualitative and quantitative indicators (for example progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, employee retention, resonance in society) makes CSR assessable strategically and effective in communication.
CSR at THE MAK'ED TEAM
We too, as a mid sized company, actively deliver CSR measures and see the exchange with other companies and experts as a valuable opportunity to develop.
THE MAK'ED TEAM stands for advancing corporate social responsibility and works, together with our partners and clients, for sustainable and responsible company leadership.
The 4th CSR Future Lab once again opened up valuable impulses and different perspectives for us. We thank everyone who took part and the initiators of the CSR Future Lab, who made such an event possible.
You can find more information on CSR and sustainability here.
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