Around 120 participants are expected at the event in the town hall. Whether it is the personal commitment of a company’s employees, logistical support or a joint action: The aim of the trade is always that both sides benefit and that the players gain insights into other worlds. The “Marketplace of Good Business” offers non-profit organizations and commercial enterprises a platform for a short time, where the demand for support from the non-profit side meets the commitment offers of the companies.
Bankers collect clothing donations
The Mayor for Culture, Education and Sports, Dr. Susanne Eisenmann, emphasizes: “When companies and non-profit institutions meet at eye level, the result is added value in terms of experiences, impressions and adventures for both sides.”
At the Social Marketplace, a variety of opportunities arise to get involved and do business with one another: Bankers collect clothing donations for the second-hand boutique, a team helps out on the farm, HR managers help disadvantaged young people with their job applications, people with disabilities offer company employees an alternative city tour, a club entertains with a dance performance, a company gives away laptops it no longer needs. While non-profit organizations benefit from the companies’ know-how and personal commitment, the companies and their employees gain insights into other life worlds through their involvement.
Cooperation between organizations and companies
The marketplace method originates from the Netherlands. Experience shows that methodological knowledge and management expertise are necessary for the success of local partnerships between companies and nonprofit organizations. That is why in Stuttgart, too, experienced moderators from the mehrwert agency and the City of Stuttgart’s “Promotion of Civic Involvement” staff unit help participants find suitable partners and interesting projects.
The Social Marketplace in Stuttgart is the result of cooperation between the City of Stuttgart, KPMG AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Curacon GmbH and the non-profit agency mehrwert. The patron is Lord Mayor Fritz Kuhn.