The project aims to enhance the protection of human rights and the environment with a special focus on business operations’ impact on them.

It is guided by COE Committee of Minister’s recommendations: CM/Rec(2016)3 on Human Rights and Business built on 2011 UN Guiding Principles, and CM/Rec(2022)20 on Human Rights and the protection of the environment.

Project objectives

1. Equip member states with tools to design and implement measures that enhance human rights, social rights, and environmental compliance in business operations

2. Strengthen human rights, social rights, and environmental protection within businesses processes

Expected outputs and results
  • Businesses have strengthened capacity to consider potential negative impacts (due diligence) on human rights and environment and to eliminate and/or remedy such impact
  • Member states are supported in developing/improving policies and are informed about good practices that help integrate human rights and environment considerations into business operations
  • Those affected by business’ negative impact on human rights and environment have better access to the remedies and the respective institutions (judicial and non-judicial) are better equipped to provide such remedies
Key activities
  • Pilot a knowledge platform that compiles key resources, including case law from the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe’s and other standards
  • Facilitate peer discussions, training, and knowledge sharing among member states to align national practices on human rights, social rights, and environmental issues in business
  • Develop/upgrade tools to help member states provide access to judicial and non-judicial remedies for victims of business-related human rights and environmental abuses
  • Conduct a comparative analysis of laws and best practices for protecting human rights and the environment in business across several member states
  • Establish an academic forum for researchers focused on human rights, the environment, and business
  • Design communication and awareness actions and simplified explanation of available remedies in selected member states
  • Support businesses and due diligence professionals in understanding human rights, social rights, and environmental standards through a dedicated knowledge platform
Key beneficiaries & stakeholders
  • Public officials and representatives of the relevant institutions of the participating states
  • Business associations, individual businesses, civil society organisations and national institutions dealing with human rights and business

Project information

  • Duration: 15 months (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2025)
  • Countries (multilateral)
  • Funding: Human Rights Trust Fund
Events
12 December 2025

Academic Forum on Human Rights and Business

Online
2 october 2025

The roundtable on Human Rights, Environment and Business: Compliance and responsible conduct as competitive advantages

Paris and Online
18 June 2025

Workshop Human Rights and Environmental Aspects in Mining: state obligations and business opportunities

Yerevan, Armenia
17 June 2025

International Conference Business and Human Rights: Corporate Social Responsibility

Yerevan, Armenia
Project news

Back SEEDIG Dialogue on Human Rights and Digital Business

SEEDIG Dialogue on Human Rights and Digital Business

As digital transformation accelerates across sectors, addressing its human rights implications has become a global priority. The Human Rights and Environmentally Responsible Business Project supported a workshop in the framework of SEEDIG, which brought together experts from digital industry, academia and the Council of Europe to discuss ways to ensure that digital innovation in corporate operations are based on international standards and human rights principles. The discussion highlighted the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, the first international binding instrument in this field, and explored how AI risk and impact assessments can guide ethical and responsible innovation.

Participants also shared examples of digital tools — such as open data platforms and human rights tracking systems — that help strengthen transparency and accountability. Speakers discussed corporate initiatives designed to incorporate human rights principles into the innovation process and the growth of digital business

 

Athens 10 october 2025
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