Who can an organization participate?
All companies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, trusts, labor representation organizations and interest groups are generally eligible to participate in the UN Global Compact. The UN Global Compact considers itself to be a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together all relevant social actors.
The majority of participants are businesses, and because of this, the UN Global Compact also sees itself as a business-driven platform, but with the intense involvement of all stakeholders.
How can an organization join?
- Companies:
First, companies must draft a letter of commitment expressing their decision to officially join the UN Global Compact as well as their commitment to the ten principles of the Compact. This letter must be signed by the CEO of the company and then uploaded to the official UNGC website, where the Registration process must also be completed. The registration form is sent directly to the Global Compact Office in New York, which reviews each company’s request to join and also contacts the Focal Point in the respective country. If there are no objections to the candidate company joining, the company will become an official UN Global Compact member, both in the Worldwide Network and in the Local Network.
After Joining
Once a company joins, it must prepare a yearly Communication on Progress to report on the measures that it has implemented in connection with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. When a company does not submit a COP for one year, its status is changed to “non communicating” on the official UN Global Compact website, and the company will eventually be delisted. Click the link for more information on the Integrity Measures.
Micro Enterprises
Companies with fewer than ten employees cannot officially join the UN Global Compact for organizational reasons. However, they are invited to become involved in the Local Network, in this case the network for Austria. Please contact the Focal Point to find out more about the acceptance criteria.
2. For Non-Business Entities
As is the case for companies, (non-)governmental organizations, educational institutions, trusts, etc. must submit a letter of commitment through the Online Registration system. Non-business participants are not required to submit a Communication on Progress.
Does it cost anything to join?
No fees of any kind are charged to companies or non-business organizations when they join the UN Global Compact. However, the Global Compact Office requests companies to make a voluntary annual donation to support the activities of the UN Global Compact after they join. Further details can be found here.
