The second half of the 1990s
As Slovak society and economy undergoes reforms, the country opens up to the world, increasing the influx of foreign investment. This attracts large investors, who bring corporate social responsibility principles from their home countries.
1996
A survey by the Slovak Committee of the European Cultural Foundation identifies the main factors influencing potential donors to non-governmental, non-profit organisations.
Slovakia introduces ISO 14001, a voluntary and internationally-recognised Environmental Management Systems (EMS) standard. Its application of EMS was affirmed by a foreign accredited certifying company and was among the first in the world.
1997
A set of 11 products becomes the first to be marked "Environmentally Friendly Product" under a programme established by the Environment Ministry in February 1996.
1998
The Pontis Foundation founds the VIA BONA Award, which has become the country's most prestigious award for philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.
1999
The Open Society Foundation surveys corporate cooperation with the non-profit sector and the amount of funds donated to non-profit projects. The final report includes a list of donors' rights.
2000 and 2001
Various non-government organisations (The Pontis Foundation, the Integra Foundation, Panet) begin to specialise in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and develop monitoring and educational activities.
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family establishes a "Family-friendly Employer" Award.
2002
Panet publishes a strategic action plan for 2002-2004 called Support and Development of Social Responsibility, Corporate Philanthropy and Inter-Sector Cooperation in Slovakia.
The Slovak government adopts the Environmental Product Labeling Act.
2004
The Business Leaders Forum is founded by 11 companies. It organises CSR: The New Strategy for Business Success, the first international conference on CSR in Slovakia.
The Business Leaders Forum also conducts two CSR surveys. The first - carried out in cooperation with the World Bank, the Pontis Foundation and the Integra Foundation - determined Slovak companies perception of corporate social responsibility. The second - conducted in cooperation with the Pontis Foundation and the FOCUS Agency - was the first to address Slovak society's perception.
The founding members of the Business Leaders Forum sign a memorandum on the social responsibility that declares their commitment to voluntarily adopting a range of social, ethical, and environmental principles, as well inspiring other firms in Slovakia to do the same.
2005
The first Slovak publication on socially responsible entrepreneurship is published under the title Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship: An Overview of Basic Principles and Examples.
A Report on the State of Corporate Philanthropy in Slovakia is published for the first time. Designed as an annual report, it is based on research by the Donors Forum in cooperation with the Trend weekly.
In cooperation with the Slovak Union of Entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family organises a conference entitled The Social Responsibility of Businesses.
A legislative framework for implementing the European Union's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is established upon the approval of the Environmental Verification and Registration of Organisations in the ES Scheme Act.
2006
The Club of Corporate Donors is founded with the support of the Donors Forum. It is part of an international network called The Central and Eastern European Network for Responsible Giving.
The Pontis Foundation organises courses on corporate social responsibility for students of applied psychology at Comenius University's Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences.
The Donors Forum publishes the Regulations for Publishing Information about Corporate Philanthropy.
2007
Stratégie, a monthly magazine concerning media and marketing, provides space for regular reporting on corporate social responsibility.
Author: Basline Study on Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Slovakia, UNDP, 2007
