Lex Mundi has been awarded a Catalyst Business Commitment badge at this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, following the work of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation to support social enterprise.
Lex Mundi , the world’s leading legal network of independent law firms, has announced that it has received a Catalyst Business Commitment (‘CBC’) Platinum badge -the most prestigious badge awarded - for the support the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and its member firms provide to Social Enterprise. The CBC initiative was launched by Catalyst 2030 at this year’s World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, which convenes leaders from government, business, and civil society to address global current affairs and discuss priorities for the year ahead, at Davos, Switzerland (16 to 20 January 2023). Lex Mundi receives this recognition alongside five other awardees: Ebay, Microsoft, SAP, EY and Compass Diversified.
This prestigious initiative, announced during the Davos Affiliate Session: Unlocking the Social Economy, recognises private sector organisations that partner with social enterprises which are either registered as non-profit organisations or have Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) verification, and have worked with mission-locked social enterprises to meet ESG targets, achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and benefit people and planet. Over the past 17 years, the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation has served more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, impacting more than 100 countries, supporting thousands of matters around the world, and addressing all of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The recognition is aimed at corporations that demonstrate exemplary business practices through any or all of the following areas: Systems Change Funding; Pro bono or Discounted Services; and Social Procurement. Those recognised by the initiative are presented with a badge which can be used publicly and comes in four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Isis Bous, Managing Director, Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation, comments:
“In a time of social and economic uncertainty, social enterprise plays a critical role in driving the innovation we need to create a more sustainable model for business - while also serving their communities. Social entrepreneurs are exploring new and creative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. They are inspired to work around the world to improve access to education, fight disease, reduce inequalities, combat global warming, protect civil rights, lift people out of poverty, and more. For every grand challenge, there are dedicated social entrepreneurs working on impactful solutions. And they are, without question, more successful when they have access to quality pro bono legal advice. We know that our firms’ pro bono legal support has had tremendous impact. Lex Mundi lawyers help social enterprises scale faster, expand their reach, secure funding, and ultimately achieve greater success. To put it simply, social entrepreneurs do well by doing good. And with the help of Lex Mundi lawyers, they can change the world.“
The Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation has a long-standing relationship with Catalyst 2030, having been commissioned in recent years to create “Legal reform as a catalyst for social enterprise: an international social enterprise law & policy report”. Prepared by Lex Mundi member law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP with the support of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and more than 60 additional Lex Mundi member firms, the report offers a comparative analysis of how different countries support and enable the development of social ventures and offers suggestions on how promote their growth and strengthen their impact.