When a company applies for financial participation in an investment project from IØ, the Fund conducts a screening of CSR-relevant issues for the company. It takes its starting point in the company itself, the type of project and the host country in which the project will take place.

IØ’ CSR objectives and activities must be anchored in the business strategies of the project compa­nies and must be fully adapted to and integrated into their procedures and operations. IØ will induce each project company to adopt a written CSR policy, which clearly defines and describes its vision, strategy and operational guidelines. The project companies must strive to constantly improve their own CSR policies, standards and performance and promote these towards their suppliers where relevant.

The next step is that IØ and the project company prepare a long-term action plan to be implemented and anchored in the day-to-day management. The company should be aware of its position when it comes to local legislation, international standards and conventions and work systematically to comply with them. This will ensure that the work on environment, work environment, labour rights and human rights continues, also when IØ exits the company. 

Whether it complies with the requirements of IØ or is in the process of implementing a CSR action plan, the project company must prepare an annual CSR status report. The report must be presented for discussion and ap­proval by its board of directors.