Business and Human Rights Association (BHRTR) and the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) have officially concluded the second phase of the “Strengthening Business and Human Rights Awareness and Capacity Building of Civil Society Actors – Phase II” project. As part of this phase, seven dialogue events were organized with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). These events took place in İstanbul, Bursa, Adana, and Gaziantep, offering vital spaces for dialogue, capacity building, and engagement on the topic of business and human rights. 

In addition to the dialogue events, the project featured a Closing Event held in İstanbul on 28 April 2025. The Closing Event served both as a showcase of the project’s achievements and as the official launch of TR Compass—a collaborative platform designed to strengthen civil society engagement in the field of business and human rights. A curated digital library of key resources is housed within the TR Compass website. 

TR Compass is a voluntary and open network that brings together civil society organizations, trade unions, academics, and individual activists who are committed to promoting responsible business practices and protecting human rights in supply chains. Rather than functioning as a formal alliance, it serves as an open space for connection, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support—particularly in the context of legislation such as the German Supply Chain Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz – LkSG) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

This phase of the project has contributed to strengthening the awareness, capacity, and coordination of civil society actors on business and human rights in Türkiye. The tools, networks, and platforms developed—particularly through the establishment of TR Compass—will support the continuity of dialogue and collaboration beyond the project timeline.

We extend our sincere thanks to all stakeholders and participants who contributed to this project.

You may find more information on TR Compass here: About Us 

European Neighbourhood Council (ENC):
Website: http://encouncil.org/
E-mail: media@encouncil.org

İş Dünyası ve İnsan Hakları Derneği (BHRTR):
Website: https://bhrtr.org/tr/
E-mail: contact@bhrtr.org

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies to disclose detailed information on their human rights and environmental impacts throughout their value chains and to update this information annually by complementing the European Union (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). CSRD is being phased in gradually for companies of different sizes and will apply directly to non-EU companies that meet the criteria starting in 2028.

PDF – EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

This document, published by the UN Human Rights Office, provides guidance on how people can seek justice when businesses are involved in human rights abuses. It explains both legal and non-legal options available to victims, such as going to court or using complaint mechanisms.

PDF – Access to Remedy in Cases of Business-Related Human Rights Abuse (UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner)

TR Compass Alliance: A collaborative network supporting civil society to advance human rights and environmental due diligence through shared knowledge, legal tools, and peer connections.

As part of a broader effort to strengthen responsible business conduct in Türkiye, TR Compass brings together civil society organizations, trade unions, academics, and individual activists. The alliance offers access to training materials, legal resources, and regular updates on developments like the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

Whether you are looking to stay informed, contribute your expertise, or connect with others working on similar issues, TR Compass provides a space for meaningful collaboration.

Explore our digital library for resources, join an upcoming event, or simply connect with peers committed to fairer, more accountable business practices in Türkiye.

On 16th December, the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and its partner, the Business and Human Rights Association Turkey (BHRTR), hosted a launch and stakeholder consultation event for Phase II of the “Strengthening Business and Human Rights Awareness and Capacity Building of Civil Society Actors” Project, supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Consulate in Istanbul. The event aimed to present findings from the Phase I report on Turkey’s business and human rights (BHR) landscape, outline activities for Phase II, and gather valuable stakeholder feedback.

The event began with opening remarks by Asuman Kübra Baş (ENC Project Manager) and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye (ENC Director), who emphasized the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in implementing new due diligence laws (e.g. LkSG and CSDDD). They highlighted the need for stronger stakeholder collaboration to prevent human rights violations in supply chains. Martin Graf, Deputy Consul General at the German Consulate in Istanbul, stressed the growing awareness of these laws among larger companies while emphasizing the importance of extending this understanding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in his welcoming speech.

The presentation of Phase I findings by Emre Keki (ENC Researcher) and Serra Zoraloglu (Projects and Services Coordinator at BHRTR) revealed significant challenges faced by Turkish companies—particularly SMEs—in understanding and complying with the new regulations. These challenges include limited awareness of legal requirements, a lack of resources and expertise to conduct effective due diligence, and concerns about the impact of compliance on competitiveness.

The event continued with an outline of Phase II activities, which were designed to address the challenges identified in Phase I. As explained by Dr. Çiğdem Çımrın (Co-Founder and Chairperson, BHRTR), Phase II focuses on building the capacity of key stakeholders to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. This includes tailor-made trainings for NGOs, and trade unions, establishment of a dedicated platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders and several important visibility activities.

The program ended with a stakeholder consultation bringing together representatives from Turkish CSOs, academics, foundations, unions, and NGOs. They shared best practices, explored collaboration, and discussed common challenges, highlighting the need for joint efforts, shared learning, and stronger due diligence in advancing human rights and environmental standards.

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.

The European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and the Business and Human Rights Association (BHRTR) will hold a Closing Event in Istanbul on 28 April from 09:30 to 12:30, marking the conclusion of the Strengthening Business and Human Rights Awareness and Capacity Building of Civil Society Actors project.

The event will highlight key outcomes from Phases I and II and introduce the groundwork that has been laid for a CSO alliance called “TR Compass” and its dedicated website. A panel discussion will feature Ayşegül Yalçın Eriş (SGDD-ASAM), Elif Gündüz Karabulut (Tohum Autism Foundation), and Fulya Pınar Özcan (IFWE and Öz İplik-İş Trade Union), who will join the session titled “Stakeholder Engagement from the Perspective of Civil Society and Trade Unions and Examples from Practice.”

Serving as both a celebration of progress and a launchpad for continued collaboration, the event will reinforce the commitment to advancing human rights through strong civil society engagement.

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) mandates large-scale companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights and environmental risks across their global supply chains. Additionally, it requires companies to develop remediation mechanisms, establish grievance procedures, ensure stakeholder participation throughout all processes, and publish public reports. CSDDD provides a legally binding framework for corporate responsibility to respect human rights, aligning with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

PDF – EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

This document from the UN Human Rights Office explains how gender affects the way people experience business-related human rights issues. It highlights why businesses need to consider the specific impacts on women and gender-diverse people when applying human rights standards.

PDF – Gender Dimensions of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner)

This document offers guidance for businesses on how to respect and support children’s rights in all aspects of their operations. Created by UNICEF, the UN Global Compact, and Save the Children, it explains how companies can help protect children from harm and promote their well-being through responsible business practices.

PDF – Children’s Rights and Business Principles (UNICEF, UN Global Compact, Save the Children)