Toolkit on Business and Human Rights

OVERVIEW

What is it?

Business and human rights (BHR) is a thematic nexus that looks into 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 businesss 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 Delegations and valuable guidance on initiating work through the various aid modalities.

When can it be used?

The Toolkit provides cases studies of interventions that can be supported to advance the BHR agenda at country-level. Its added-value will be at identification and formulation phase of the project lifecycle.

Who can use it?

BHR is a cross-cutting issue. This means involving all relevant sections within the Delegation can help the EU maximise the effectiveness of development cooperation on the topic.

What are its strengths?

The Toolkit is an easy-to-read and accessible document. It covers a difficult topic in 30 pages and provide example of interventions that can be replicated by any EU Delegation that wish to work on the topic. The practical part has dedicated sections per type of aid modalities which can be read separately.

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 main international frameworks and EU policy committments
Part 2: Theory of change which graphically depicts how the three key actors, business, the state and civil society can play a role in implementing the UNGPs and contribute to the realisation of sustainable development
Part 3: Practical guidance section which is structured in two sub-parts:
- The first section, ”Engaging on BHR” is designed to help EUDs get started on BHR.
- The second section, ”Mainstreaming BHR” is structured around the three key stakeholders - civil society, business and the state - and explains how various aid modalities can be used to engage each of these stakeholders.

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:

The Delegation’s management commitment is essential to embark on this tranversal issues. Implementing action on BHR required a coordinated and integrated approach that blends the political, cooperation and trade sections together.

Financial costs and sources:

N.A.

Tips and tricks:

N.A.

Note: The Toolkit is an international document for EU and MS Staff. It should not be circulated to external stakeholders.