Summary

The RE-SOURCING project is European Commission Horizon 2020 funded project that will setup a Global Stakeholder Platform for Responsible Sourcing (the RE-SOURCING Platform) over the period of four years (November 2019 to October 2023).

The RE-SOURCING project actions will

• facilitate the development of a globally accepted definition of RS,
• develop ideas for incentives facilitating responsible business conduct in the EU, supporting RS initiatives,
• enable exchange of stakeholders for information and promotion of RS,
• foster the emergence of RS in international political fora, and
• support the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials.

RE-SOURCING will deliver

• for EU and international business stakeholders
  • Increased capacity of decision-makers for implementing responsible business conduct
  • better understanding and awareness on RS in three sectors of automotive, electric and electronic equipment, and renewable energy
  • facilitated implementation of lasting and stable sectoral framework conditions for RS

• for EU policy makers
  • increased capacity for RS policy design and implementation
  • innovative ideas on policy recommendations for stimulating RS in the private sector
  • better understanding and awareness on RS in three sectors of automotive, electric and electronic equipment, and renewable energy

• for Civil Society
  • integration of sustainable development and environmental agenda into the RS discourse
  • an established global level playing field of RS in international political fora and business agendas
  • better understanding and awareness on RS in three sectors of automotive, electric and electronic equipment, and renewable energy

What are major RE-SOURCING activities?

Building a platform for the responsible sourcing community, networks & stakeholders

RE-SOURCING will employ a holistic approach to directly engage with RS challenges. This would require the identification and bridging the gap between current RS initiatives and platforms and provide a collaboration space for cross-sectoral actors. The RE-SOURCING Global Stakeholder Platform (RE-SOURCING Platform) – providing both digital and physical spaces for stakeholder interaction – will allow for cross-sectoral collaboration, peer learning & exchange, and build a knowledge repository to foster concerted and streamlined efforts for RS. 

A supportive responsible sourcing framework in three EU key sectors

While there is ‘familiarity’ with the RS concept amongst some EU business and sectors, the implementation and transferability of RS practices requires greater EU supportive framework conditions. To address this in a holistic manner, such that collective synergies of industry, policy and civil society can be stimulated, RE-SOURCING will develop individual roadmaps for three key EU industrial sectors: renewable energy (RES), mobility (MS) and electric and electronic equipment (EEES). By taking note of the current state of RS within these sectors, developing a vision through stakeholder consultations, a series of interactive workshops (Roadmap Workshops) on sector needs, the project will address some of the current challenges from increasing environmental and sustainability reporting requirements, accessibility and accountability of information and develop more transparent mineral GVCs.

Learning from innovative business cases for responsible sourcing

The challenges faced for broader RS implementation should not take away from the fact that a number of EU firms and sectors have taken significant strides in this area. The opportunities lie in capitalising on this firm/sector experience for wider implementation and transfer of RS best practices. RE-SOURCING, through its Flagship (FS) cases and a series of interactive workshops (Platform Labs) will contextualise the broader enabling framework conditions (cultural, economic, or political), and enable stakeholder guidance on good practice uptake, peer-learning and future business incentives for key decision makers.

Towards a global definition of responsible sourcing

The RS Agenda is intertwined with the  Sustainable Development Agenda, and while the UN SDGs i.a. more clearly define the latter, no such definition has emerged for the former, and any international movement towards such a definition is yet to emerge. Given that the RS Agenda encompasses different factors (business competition, environment, access to finance, human rights, social rights, trade, etc.), acceptance of an RS definition is not straightforward. RE-SOURCING firmly believes that such an attempt can only be made through an international consultative process that engages not only influential stakeholders and initiatives, but also the agenda setting process within these platforms. From virtual conferences and knowledge sharing on the RE-SOURCING PLATFORM, to Global Advocacy Forums in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia, to extensive engagement with the OECD, ICMM, UNEP and others, RE-SOURCING will set out the parameters of a globally accepted RS definition.

What we want to achieve?

Major RE-SOURCING outcomes are tailored to achieve the following impacts:

PROJECT END: At the end of the RE-SOURCING project, we will have achieved…

• the RE-SOURCING Platform as a well-known and widely used hub for information provision, networking and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders
• Substantially expanded the knowledge base on effective RS practices (RE-SOURCING FS Cases), which will accelerate uptake and support mainstreaming of RS in business practices
• Contributed to an improved perception and shift of attitudes among key business players, consultants and industry initiatives, as well as public policy that RS provides a competitive advantage and have acquired an deeper understanding of its practical implementation

BEYOND: Beyond the RE-SOURCING projects’ duration, we will have a continual impact…

• Built a vibrant and active Community, consisting of business frontrunners, motivated early adopters, international experts with the capacity and commitment to implement RE-SOURCING FS Cases and inspire future RS initiatives beyond the project duration
• Developed three widely accepted EU sector roadmaps creating effective RS framework conditions for business that will carry future commitment and buy in of strategic European players
• Established a level playing field of RS on the global level by facilitate the inclusion of the RS principles in the setting of global agendas, international initiatives and 3 world regions (SSA, Asia, LA)

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