How corporate–NGO partnerships can help HR leaders support CSRD goals for 2025

HR leaders across Europe are stepping into a new strategic role: not just managing people, but contributing to corporate sustainability reporting. Under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), companies must demonstrate how their operations create positive social impact, support communities, and engage employees in meaningful ways.

Why HR plays a key role in achieving CSRD social goals

While sustainability and compliance teams lead on reporting frameworks, HR is central to delivering the “S” in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). CSRD requires companies to disclose how they impact people — both inside and outside the organisation.

This means HR teams can:

• Drive employee engagement through purpose-driven programmes.

• Strengthen workplace inclusion and community involvement.

• Gather measurable data on participation and outcomes that feed directly into CSRD reports.

Partnering with credible NGOs allows HR leaders to create initiatives that are easy to scale, impactful, and aligned with EU sustainability priorities.

How can you meet these goals while strengthening your company culture and reputation at the same time?

1. Make partnerships that create measurable social impact

When choosing NGO partners, HR executives should look for initiatives that deliver verifiable outcomes, not just charitable activities.

For example, Bridging Gaps uses a pay-it-forward microloan model that supports refugee and underserved entrepreneurs with interest-free funding, training, and mentoring.

This gives companies:

• Transparent, measurable impact data (e.g., number of businesses supported, % of women and refugees reached).

• Real stories that bring their social impact narrative to life.

• Opportunities for employees to actively participate.

2. Encourage employee engagement that goes beyond volunteering

European employees increasingly want to work for organisations that act on their values, not just talk about them. HR leaders can leverage NGO partnerships to create programmes such as:

• Skill-sharing and mentoring: Employees support micro-entrepreneurs with marketing, finance, or operational expertise.

• Workplace giving or matched contributions: Involving staff in funding impact.

  
  

These programmes:

1. Increase employee participation and satisfaction.

2. Support inclusion and global awareness.

3. Generate quantifiable metrics (participation hours, engagement rates) useful for CSRD social disclosures.

3. Turn impact into data for CSRD reporting

HR teams don’t need to manage CSRD disclosures alone — but their employee engagement programmes can provide essential input to the report.

How to make it work efficiently:

1. Define clear KPIs with the NGO (e.g., number of entrepreneurs supported, demographic data, total volunteer hours).

2. Collect employee engagement data systematically (HRIS or internal platforms).

3. Align programme outcomes with CSRD social impact categories (e.g., workforce, communities, vulnerable groups).

4. Collaborate with sustainability teams to integrate this data into the final report.

5. Develop a stronger employer brand, backed by real impact

HR leaders know that attracting and retaining talent increasingly depends on authentic social engagement.

By aligning employee engagement initiatives with CSRD goals:

• You enhance your employer brand in a way that resonates with EU job seekers who value sustainability.

• You support communities in meaningful, measurable ways.

• You help the organisation comply with EU regulations without adding a heavy operational burden.

Practical 90-day blueprint for HR executives

0–30 days

• Select a credible NGO partner (e.g., Bridging Gaps).

• Define KPIs and engagement opportunities.

30–60 days

• Launch a pilot engagement programme.

• Start collecting baseline metrics on participation and impact.

60–90 days

• Align results with CSRD reporting templates.

• Share early success stories with internal stakeholders.

🚀 Final takeaway for HR leaders

The CSRD isn’t just a reporting challenge — it’s a chance for HR to lead meaningful social change while strengthening workforce engagement.

By partnering with credible NGOs like Bridging Gaps, HR leaders can:

• Deliver measurable social impact

• Provide verified data for sustainability reporting

• Build a workplace culture that aligns with EU values

  
  

👉 Start with one pilot initiative in 2025, measure its impact, and scale what works!