What is the project about?

The European Union funded “Responsible Business, Resilient Civil Society” project aims to advance the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda in Türkiye by empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) to play an active role in promoting responsible business conduct, advocating for human rights, and fostering cooperation between the public institutions, businesses, social partners and civil society.

Grounded in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the Project strengthens the capacity of CSOs to engage in advocacy, dialogue, and collaboration among the stakeholders. It seeks to ensure that business practices in Türkiye align with international human rights standards and that civil society has the knowledge, tools, and overall capacity to influence policy and practice. Through grants, capacity-building, and dialogue, the Project promotes responsible, transparent, and rights-based business operations that protect and respect employees, communities, and the environment.

What is the situation?

While Türkiye has made significant progress in aligning with international human rights and sustainability standards, the field of Business and Human Rights remains relatively new.

Recent developments—such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Türkiye’s policy commitments—highlight growing attention to responsible business conduct and inclusive growth. However, awareness, technical expertise, and institutional cooperation on BHR issues are still limited.

In this context, the project responds to an urgent need to empower CSOs as catalysts of responsible business practices, enabling them to engage businesses, advocate for rights-based approaches, and contribute to inclusive, sustainable growth.

What is our mission?

The project’s mission is to advance a just, inclusive, and rights-based business environment in Türkiye by strengthening the role and resilience of civil society. It seeks to achieve this by:

• Implementing a grant scheme that supports CSOs in applying the Business and Human Rights approach;
• Building the technical capacity of CSOs through trainings, tools, and mentoring on human rights due diligence and advocacy; and
• Fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue among public institutions, businesses, and civil society to support responsible business practices and policy development.

Ultimately, the project contributes to the development of a civil society that partners with businesses and public institutions in advancing human rights across supply chains, workplaces, and communities.

How are we doing this?

The project employs a three-pillar approach:

• Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – A grant programme for CSOs to implement rights-based initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and research on BHR.
• Capacity Building – Training sessions, mentorship, and knowledge products on due diligence, equality, and responsible business conduct.
• Policy Dialogue and Networking – Multi-stakeholder platforms and events connecting CSOs, businesses, social partners and public institutions to strengthen collaboration and shape the future of the BHR agenda in Türkiye.

Through these mechanisms, the project will build sustainable networks and local expertise, ensuring that civil society can actively contribute to policy-making and business transformation processes.

How will Türkiye benefit?

By fostering collaboration between civil society, government, and business, the Responsible Business, Resilient Civil Society project will strengthen Türkiye’s alignment with international human rights and sustainability standards.

The project will:

• Enhance civil society’s capacity to engage in policy dialogue and monitor responsible business conduct;
• Support businesses in aligning with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
• Encourage inclusive participation of CSOs , including those representing women, and persons with disabilities.
• Contribute to Türkiye’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

In the long term, the project will help create an enabling environment for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, support policy coherence with the EU acquis, and strengthen Türkiye’s reputation as a country committed to sustainable and responsible business practices.