CSR.digital Sustainably Competitive Launched @CSRdigital1 The kick-off event took place online with an exciting agenda including speakers from NRW-based Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the NRW Minister for Economy and Digitalisation NRW, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart as well as digitalisation and sustainability experts. CSR.digital, the first ever Centre for Digital Responsibility in North-Rhein Westphalia (NRW), aims to serve as a hub for addressing important digitalisation aspects within the SME sector in the state. In particular, the project will focus in supporting SMEs to successfully adapt sustainability as part of their digital responsibility strategy and leverage digitalisation to strengthen their resilience. The centre will do so in close collaboration with economic, social and civic actors in NRW. During the kick-off event, a detailed description of the aims and scope of the project was presented and planned activities were shared and discussed with SME representatives as well as other relevant organisations. An interview with the NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Prof.Dr. Pinkwart concerning the role of sustainability and digitalisation and how it impacts SMEs, particularly in crises times, was also part of the agenda. Moreover, the project team hosted a diverse and interesting panel of speakers and topics: Roland Schüren, a regional bakery chain owner, opened the discussion round and shared insights on the role of innovation, digital tools and e-logistics for his and other companies Myriam Jahn, CEO at the Internet of Things (IOT) company ‘Q-loud’ brought this popular topic closer to the project audience and pointed out how their product can create added value for the industry Saskia Dörr, expert on Corporate Digital Responsibility shared insights on the theoretical background and specific application cases for SMEs Stephan Grabmaier, expert in the field of New Work discussed the relevance of this concept and its evolvement during the Covid-19 crisis The panel also responded to questions from the audience and the discussion feedback will be channelled in the project’s upcoming work. The project CSR.digital – Sustainably Competitive is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of NRW via the EFRE fund. For further information, please contact Anna Hilger