Building Social Impact Initiative
Creating systemic change in the Thai construction sector
Building Social Impact (BSI) Members
Through its Systemic Impact strategy, BDF advocates for systemic change within the Thai construction sector, being one of the few NGOs partnering closely with private sector companies.
With the objective to encourage the construction sector to provide better living conditions for construction workers and their children in camps, in February 2022, BDF, in partnership with UNICEF Thailand, pioneering companies, and the European Union, launched the Building Social Impact (BSI) Initiative and its platform. This platform provides public access to open-source Tools designed to streamline the adoption of the Framework.
Open-source tool to help companies improve their social impact
Specifically, BDF develops key partnerships with major real estate developers and construction companies and supports them to implement changes in camps with its Toolkit (which includes Guidelines, a Self-Assessment Tool, and Reference Packs). These tools align with the Framework for Action, a set of 12 recommendations developed by BDF and UNICEF to guide companies in supporting these children and their families. Interested companies embark on an impact journey, following a training path where they learn how to use and integrate the Framework and its Tools into their day-to-day business. Once the training path is completed, companies can independently assess risks for children in their site camps and easily plan, take action, monitor progress, and internally and externally report on the impact on children and workers and on company social sustainability.
Targeted training for company staff on business and human rights
Since its launch, the BSI Initiative has already brought onboard major companies from the property and construction industry. The Initiative also engages with a wide array of stakeholders in the construction ecosystem, including regulators, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, and government partners (ministries), as well as schools and others, to advocate for and promote positive behavioral change in the sector.
Staff conducting a spot check to assess infrastructure improvements