In today’s era of scrutiny and accountability, businesses are asked to do more than just perform. They are expected to account for how they operate, who they serve and the values that give them purpose.
With the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), this expectation is becoming regulation. Companies across the EU — including Irish SMEs that fall under the CSRD’s definition of a ‘large company’ due to specific criteria — must now provide detailed disclosures on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. It’s no longer enough to say your business does good; you must now show how in formal sustainability or ESG reports, starting from 2025 or 2026 in some cases.
But meeting these new requirements doesn’t have to feel like a box-ticking exercise. In fact, it presents an opportunity — not just to comply, but to contribute meaningfully. Because when it comes to the world’s most urgent challenges, no single business can solve them alone.
That’s where the strength of standing together comes in.
A Collective Currency
Champion for Children, a membership programme by UNICEF Ireland, was created for companies that want to have a meaningful impact in urgent humanitarian settings — and the ability to communicate and report on that impact clearly.
Member businesses, which we proudly call our Champions, contribute to UNICEF’s Children’s Emergency Fund — a rapid-response mechanism that enables aid to reach children in crisis within 72 hours of an emergency. Whether it’s war in Ukraine, natural disasters in Myanmar, or displacement in Gaza, this fund allows UNICEF to be there for children before, during, and after disaster strikes.
In one year alone, the Children’s Emergency Fund enabled responses to 412 humanitarian crises across 107 countries — a testament to what’s possible when funding is timely and flexible.
When Membership Becomes Community
Becoming a Champion for Children is not just about giving; it’s about stepping into a role of collaborative leadership. More than 30 Irish companies have already joined the programme, demonstrating that social impact is now central to how SMEs lead, grow and report.
The programme is built with the realities of business in mind. Flexible membership tiers make it accessible at any stage of growth, while the reporting and visibility tools provided align seamlessly with ESG objectives and CSRD requirements.
More importantly, Champion for Children enables companies to tell a richer story — one of collective action. Instead of isolated gestures, members contribute to a shared vision where every euro helps fund tangible, measurable outcomes for children affected by crisis.
Brand Visibility Meets Purpose
The programme doesn’t just offer impact, it offers a way to showcase it. Members receive a suite of digital assets: banners, social media graphics, email signatures and the Champion for Children logo. These materials help businesses communicate their values in action, both internally and externally.
In today’s trust economy, where stakeholders are looking for proof of purpose, this kind of signalling is more than symbolic, it’s strategic. Whether for staff engagement or ESG reporting, being able to point to authentic social commitment is increasingly vital.
A Call to Leadership
There’s a quiet power in choosing to champion a cause. Champion for Children offers SMEs an entry point to global impact, backed by the operational strength of UNICEF and the credibility of almost 80 years of humanitarian work.
In an age where scrutiny is high and expectations even higher, being part of something bigger, something ready, effective and impactful, may be one of the most strategic decisions your business can make.
Because real leadership isn’t just about balance sheets and reporting. It’s about who you stand with — and what you stand for.
Will you become a Champion for Children?
Join today: www.unicef.ie/champion-for-children