In March 2025, the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and the Business and Human Rights Association Turkey (BHRTR) successfully conducted a national training series titled “Business and Human Rights Dialogues for Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions”, as part of Phase II of the “Strengthening Business and Human Rights Awareness and Capacity Building of Civil Society Actors” Project. Supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, the training events took place in six sessions across four cities: Istanbul, Adana, Gaziantep, and Bursa.

These full-day workshops brought together civil society representatives, trade union members, and thematic experts to strengthen capacity and raise awareness on the rapidly evolving business and human rights (BHR) landscape in Türkiye. The training sessions focused on the increasing relevance of human rights due diligence laws—such as the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)—and the critical role civil society plays in their implementation.

Key sessions included:
● Introduction to Business and Human Rights: exploring the evolution of the BHR agenda and its legal underpinnings,
● Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Mechanisms: highlighting the importance of civil society in driving corporate accountability,
● Thematic BHR Challenges in Türkiye: examining local dynamics and case studies,
● Supply Chain and Risk Mapping, and
● Advocacy Strategies and Operational Mechanisms: including guidance on submitting complaints under LkSG.

Participants also explored effective collaboration with businesses, strategic communication, and cross-sector engagement as tools to improve responsible business conduct.

This series builds directly on the findings of Phase I and the goals of Phase II, as outlined during the kick-off and stakeholder consultation in Istanbul in December 2024. By equipping CSOs and trade unions with practical knowledge and tools, the training series represents a crucial step toward fostering inclusive, rights-based corporate practices and sustainable supply chains.