Pioneers of Finnish corporate responsibility Tulosta
The FiBS network was founded in 2000. The National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) brought corporate responsibility to Finland at the end of the 1990s as a social innovation, part of an EU project.

Following the project, Stakes and 13 companies formed a network in March 2000 to promote welfare, health, all inclusive labor market and sustainable development of work communities. The network was open to all companies who aimed at promoting social and economic sustainability through their operations.

On November 4th, 2002, the companies participating in the EU project founded Finnish Business & Society ry that then signed a cooperation agreement with Stakes in September 2003. There were 28 principal company members, but in addition to these, many other companies and stakeholder groups participated in the activities. Operations were financed by membership fees and funds received from the European social fund through Stakes. The objective of FiBS was to promote corporate responsibility and increase national dialogue about the topic.

The role of Stakes in developing the operations of FiBS ended in 2006 and from 2007 onwards FiBS has been in the realm of first, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and later the Ministry of Employment and Economy.

The operations of FiBS are primarily funded through membership fees. To stimulate the procurement of new memberships and the development of operations, an office was opened and an executive director hired in 2006.

FiBS’ membership base has steadily increased since the year 2007. FiBS builds and maintains its international relations as a member of CSR Europe, CSR360 Global Partner Network and Gobal Reporting Initiative.