The partnership between Business and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasing in both number and scope and range from being strongly antagonistic to collaborative. What is certain is that the simple days when business-NGO relations were restricted to corporate donations to worthy causes, have taken on a more dynamic character with Corporates taking on a pro-active role. In the 1990s, partnership for sustainable development shifted from idea to action with numerous examples emerging from around the world. The shift from protest to partnership has been most pronounced in the area of business-NGO relations.

The Corporate-NGO partnership is a process for paving the path that is mutually beneficial, proactive and sustainable. Well-managed businesses have come to realize that they are not just economic actors but must play their part to promote sustainable development but often it is less clear how to do so. How can they ensure the wider acceptability of their activities without losing sight of their core role? We, at Centre for Social Research have tried to find answers to such questions.

With strong evidence behind the business case for Corporate Social Responsibility, efforts must be directed to developing solutions suited to the needs of specific partnerships. Interest is growing in how strategies and programs that foster corporate and societal sustainability can be put into practice. Recognizing the need for Corporate Social Responsibility we have outlined eleven steps towards Corporate-NGO Partnership.