Workshop at Triodos Bank

On 27 September in Zeist, The Netherlands, the TSF project participants joined for an annual update and follow-up meeting. As usual, the workshop boasted with energy and fresh ideas for further developments and activities. There were presentations about new environmental opportunities (renewable energy), about using practical measurement tools for social performance (poverty scorecards), and about the work of the Social Performance Task Force. We studied the possibilities of developing a GRI (sub) sector supplement for Microfinance, and discussed practical approaches to move forward with Triple Bottom Line Management and Reporting.

Some participants explained that the implementation of triple bottom line management and reporting really helped them to improve their organization.
One of our biggest challenges is to keep things simple, not becoming involved in too many platforms and broader discussions. We should focus on execution of activities first, on getting things done.

The general conclusions of the workshop were that the group needs to continue with focusing on the triple bottom line, that the TSF participants should continue to provide leadership and that the tools to achieve this should be strong, yet simple. A key aspect is that everybody should use the same tools. As a symbolic act, that evening all participants embarked for a boat ride together. An action plan is currently being developed by the TSF coaches, and will be discussed with the TSF participants separately.