Connect with multiple stakeholders through the Global Compact.

Non-Business Participation

You don’t have to be a for-profit business to participate in the UN Global Compact. We need the expertise of non-business entities, too. You can help us shape the most effective ideas, develop tools and research, and further our partnership projects. You can also help to hold businesses accountable to their commitments to the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles.

Learn more about how academic institutions, business associations, cities/municipalities, civil society organizations/non-governmental organizations, labour unions and public sector organizations can help.

Types of Non-Business and Suggested Activities

Academic Institutions

Academic institutions play an important role in shaping future business leaders and educating them about responsible, sustainable management and leadership.

Here’s how you can help:

Conduct applied research and thought leadership to advance best practices.
Promote the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and educate a variety of audiences about sustainability.
Support UN Global Compact business participants in implementing and reporting on their sustainability efforts.
Lend capacity to Global Compact Local Networks and/or the UN Global Compact in New York.
Join the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) for more information.

Business and Industry Associations

Business associations represent some of the world’s leading companies, and have influence over what these companies deem most important. Learn more about what the UN Global Compacts offers to business and industry associations and some of the specific activities underway.

Cities/Municipalities

There are several ways for cities and municipalities to engage with the UN Global Compact:

Encourage businesses and other organizations you interact with to participate in the UN Global Compact.
Support businesses and other stakeholders as they implement sustainability initiatives that benefit the city and greater community.
Engage with Global Compact Local Networks

Civil Society Organizations/Non-Governmental Organizations

You can have significant influence on how businesses advance human rights, the environment, labour standards and anti-corruption.

Here are some ways to help:

Propose and implement partnerships on corporate sustainability and engage with other stakeholders.
Support UN Global Compact business participants as they implement and report on their sustainability efforts.
Engage with Global Compact Local Networks.
Join and/or support issue platforms and workstreams.

Labour Unions

As employees and advocates, you can achieve a great deal to advance corporate sustainability efforts. Respect for human rights, including the rights of workers, is the minimum starting point for socially sustainable cultures and communities.

Do your part:

Engage with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other international institutions to advance labour union rights and decent work.
Facilitate dialogue with companies and other stakeholders involved in the UN Global Compact to help build consensus around labour-related issues.
Examine company performance on rights and sustainability issues.
Learn more about our work on the Labour issue area.

Public Sector Organizations

As a public sector organization, you can get involved in the UN Global Compact in a number of ways:

Implement the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles through your own strategy and operations.
Encourage businesses and others you interact with to participate in the UN Global Compact.
Contribute to the Global Compact Trust Fund and/or support specific activities.
Host UN Global Compact events.