In recent years, a rich dialogue has emerged around the role that business plays in shaping our environment, our well-being and our security. COVID-19 pandemic raised new questions about the role of business in times of crisis, and the conditions under which large corporations under stress should expect taxpayer rescue packages. Consumers, shareholders and business partners are demanding that enterprises do more to minimize harms and maximize social dividends, not only in times of economic expansion, but also as a response to present and future crises. For this reason, there has been a significant push to make the practice of human rights due diligence (HRDD) mandatory for businesses in some regions and countries. There is widespread belief that public support to private enterprise during times of crisis should only go to those companies that practise and live by their commitments to responsible business.

This Training Facilitation Guide (‘training guide’) provides training modules which clarify what is required to conduct human rights due diligence by focusing on the basics and sticking to internationally agreed principles and widely understood terminology. Applying a step-by-step approach, this allows for businesses to embark on HRDD as a stand-alone effort or as part of a preexisting assessment process. This training manual is a translated copy made possible through Japanese government funding under Business and Human Rights (B+HR) Academy initiative that is being implemented by UNDP Nepal.