After the public part of the programme participants will be able to:

• Obtain an overview of the current trends and legislative requirements related to non-financial reporting and management.
• Learn about the evolution of sustainability as a concept, as well as the sustainability reporting of good practice companies.
• Understand the key standards, frameworks and guidelines related to sustainability reporting are explained.
• Obtain the process of the materiality analysis (core to GRI G4), as well as the definition of key value drivers (key to Integrated reporting) and identification of material matters (GRI, IR, EU directive, ISO 26000) that builds the basis of the training.
• Learn via practical examples and templates how to collect and structure data and information related to the material issues identified before.
• Set objectives, plan and manage the sustainability reporting process within an organization.
• Determine and improve the quality of the reporting and how assurance for the report and different assurance standards can be applied.
• Communicate and transport the content for various media (i.e. web, print, social media etc.) and to engage the various stakeholders of the company internally and externally.

After the in- company part of the programme participants will be able to:

• Apply the theoretical content from the training at the own organisation
• Ask their questions raised since the training so to have their answers as well as some examples based on their company
• Develop of a first materiality matrix with focus areas for strategy and reporting, as well as identify data and information needed to report these areas
• Understand the process of implementing sustainability reporting
• Develop a high level of implementation map together with the client (i.e activity, responsibility, resources, timing).

Day 1
Introduction to the course

• Program structure and objectives
• Explanation of the focus and value of the theoretical part and the in-house part

Question & Answers (Q&A)

CSR and sustainability trends and evolution

• Megatrends and global challenges
• Drivers of sustainability
• Sustainability and CSR concepts and evolution
• Good practice and bad practice in managing sustainability
• The context in Cyprus

Real life cases and examples

Key standards, frameworks and guidelines

• Introduction to regulatory trends and requirements in Europe and Cyprus (i.e. EU Directive 2014/95/EU)
• Overview of most common standards, frameworks and guidelines such as GRI G4, IIRC, UNGC, ISO 26000, ILO, UN Human rights etc.

Exercise on comparing relevance of frameworks
Recap of the content and quiz to test the own understanding

The materiality process – part 1

• Introduction to materiality and relation to various standards and frameworks
• Detailed walkthrough to the GRI G4 and Integrated Reporting materiality process
• The materiality matrix

Real life cases and examples
Exercise to understand the process in detail

The materiality process – part 2

• Pitfalls and success factors
• Tools for the materiality process

Real life cases and examples
Exercise to understand the process in detail

Close of day 1- Discussion and comments Question and Answer session

Day 2
Introduction to day 2

• Agenda
• Feedback from day 1
• Recap of content of day 1

Quiz to test the own understanding
Question & Answers (Q&A)

Compiling and structuring information:

• Process and aspects to consider in compiling information
• Structure of the report (i.e. basic elements as of GRI G4 and other standards)
• The roles in sustainability reporting (i.e. sustainability team, departments)
• Tools to compile information (i.e. templates, interviews)
• Identifying gaps in information and data

Exercise to familiarize with the data capturing tools and process
Group discussion

The reporting process – part 1:

• The process in overview
• Reporting steps in detail
• The importance of presenting data and information (i.e. layout and texting)

Real life cases and examples
Exercise to plan a reporting process

The reporting process – part 2:

• Using KPIs and graphs
• Common pitfals in reporting process
• Validation and consistency of data

Real life cases and examples
Group discussion
Recap of the content and quiz to test the own understanding

Quality and assurance:

• The relevance of credibility and gaining trust via a report
• Quality elements and criteria (i.e. GRI quality criteria)
• Greenwashing vs good practice reporting
• Value and types of external assurance
• Assurance standards (i.e. ISAE 3000, AA1000)

Exercise to distinguish between good quality and bad reports
Real life cases and examples

Communicating with stakeholders:

• The importance of stakeholders
• Types of stakeholders (i.e. stakeholder matrix)
• The stakeholder engagement process
• Channels to engage with stakeholders
• Good practice communication

Exercise to identify effective ways communicating sustainability with stakeholders
Group discussion

Close of course – Discussion and Question and Answer session