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Toolkit on Business & Human Rights

OVERVIEW

What is it?

This Toolkit supports EU Delegations in operationalising the EU's commitments to responsible business conduct and the respect for human rights in development cooperation.


Business and Human Rights (BHR) is a thematic nexus that investigates corporate responsibility to respect human rights and state duty to protect human rights from corporate harm. This Toolkit supports EU Delegations to operationalise EU Commitments to responsible business conduct and business respect for human rights in development cooperation activities.


What can it be used for?

The overall logic of the toolkit is to show the complementary and the interlinked roles of three key actors: business, civil society and the state in achieving BHR standards. It provides a good introduction to BHR issues and their relevance to the work of EU Delegations and valuable guidance on initiating work through the various aid modalities.

When can it be used?

The Toolkit provides case studies that support the advancement of the BHR agenda at the country level. Its added value lies in the identification and formulation phases of the intervention lifecycle.



Who can use it?

As a cross-cutting issue, BHR requires the involvement of all relevant sections within the EU Delegation to maximise the effectiveness of development cooperation in this area.





What are its strengths?


The Toolkit is an accessible and easy-to-read document. It addresses a complex topic within 30 pages and provides examples of interventions that can be replicated by any EU Delegation wishing to engage on this issue. The practical section includes dedicated parts for each aid modality, which can be read independently.



What are its limitations?

The Toolkit should be regarded as a foundational document that should be supplemented by more granular guidance and tools.




PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Key elements
Part 1: An introduction to BHR and its relevance for development cooperation, including the main international frameworks and EU policy commitments.
Part 2: A theory of change that graphically illustrates how the three key actors—business, the state, and civil society—can contribute to implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and advancing sustainable development.
Part 3: A practical guidance section structured in two sub-parts:

  • "Engaging on BHR" – designed to help EU Delegations initiate work on BHR.
  • "Mainstreaming BHR" – structured around the three key stakeholders (civil society, business, and the state), and explains how different aid modalities can be used to engage each of them.


REQUIREMENTS

Data/information:
The Toolkit includes a list of useful resources to collect country-level data (benchmarking, UN Working Group reports, National Action Plans, sector guidance, etc).
Time
N.A.
Skills
N.A.
Facilities and materials
Management commitment from the EU Delegation is essential to effectively address this transversal issue. Implementing actions on BHR requires a coordinated and integrated approach that brings together the political, cooperation, and trade sections.
Financial costs and sources
N.A.
Tips and tricks
N.A. 

EU RESOURCES


OTHER RESOURCES


Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre website
Corporate Human Rights Benchmark: Human Rights Benchmark
UNGP full text, and more guidance and tools: UNGP Guiding Principles
OHCHR:  OHCHR
National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights: National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights
For further information, any revision or comment, please contact INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu
Published by INTPA.D.4 - Quality and results, evaluation, knowledge management. Last update 13 May2025