Applications are now open for the 2027 UN Global Compact Business & Human Rights Accelerator Programme, a three-month initiative designed to help companies translate their commitments to human rights and labour rights into practical action.
Through global workshops, regional and in-country peer learning, online resources and guidance from Global Compact Country Networks, participating companies will learn to assess human rights risks across their value chains and develop actionable plans to address them.
About the Programme
The Business & Human Rights Accelerator supports companies in implementing human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international standards.
The programme helps participating companies identify and prioritize their most significant human rights and labour rights risks, assess their value chains and define concrete actions to address identified challenges.
By the end of the programme, participating companies are expected to develop a practical Action Plan to advance human rights and labour rights across their business operations.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme is designed for companies with a foundational understanding of human rights and labour rights that are ready to put their knowledge into practice.
To be eligible, companies must:
- Be participants of the UN Global Compact or be willing to join.
- Be engaged with a Global Compact Country Network in their region or be willing to join.
- Be willing to identify their human rights risks and impacts and select a core area of their value chain for further assessment.
- Commit to developing and submitting an Action Plan addressing identified and prioritized human rights risks.
- Complete all mandatory programme requirements.
- Appoint two working-level representatives to attend sessions and participate in programme activities, alongside an executive-level representative to follow programme developments, provide support and participate in high-level events.
- Commit to applying the programme outcomes across their business strategy and operations.
Programme Benefits
Selected companies will receive support and resources to strengthen their human rights due diligence practices, including:
- Action Plan Development: Create a practical plan to address the company’s most significant human rights and labour rights risks, with clear next steps.
- Expert Guidance: Apply human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international standards.
- Practical Tools and Resources: Learn to scope value chains, assess and prioritize risks, engage stakeholders, strengthen remedy processes and monitor progress.
- Peer Learning and Networking: Participate in global workshops, regional and in-country learning activities and knowledge-sharing sessions with companies facing similar challenges.
- Regulatory Readiness: Strengthen alignment with international standards and emerging human rights due diligence expectations.
- Certificate of Completion: Receive a certificate upon successfully completing the programme.
Programme Timeline
- Application deadline: November 30, 2026
- Programme begins: February 2027
- Duration: Three months
Participants should confirm the exact programme dates with their respective Global Compact Country Network.
Method of Application
Interested and eligible companies can find programme information and application guidance through the official UN Global Compact website. Companies should also engage with their relevant Global Compact Country Network regarding participation and programme dates.
