UN Global Compact Business & Human Rights Accelerator Program 2025 – Applications are Now Open

Application Deadline: 19 December 2025

The United Nations Global Compact has officially opened applications for the 2025 Business & Human Rights Accelerator Program. This six-month initiative is designed to help companies move from commitment to concrete action on human rights and labour rights.

The Accelerator supports businesses in embedding a structured human rights due diligence process, ensuring responsible practices across industries and regions. By joining, companies gain the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to address human rights risks and strengthen their impact.

Who Can Apply

To participate in the Business & Human Rights Accelerator, companies must either be current participants of the UN Global Compact or commit to joining. In addition, eligible companies should:

• Commit to completing the full six-month program and integrating learnings across corporate strategy and operations.
• Be actively engaged with a Global Compact Local Network in their region, or willing to join.
• Be ready to identify human rights risks and impacts within their value chain.
• Develop and implement a targeted Action Plan to address identified risks.
• Appoint two working-level representatives to attend sessions and activities, along with one executive-level representative to provide leadership support and participate in high-level engagements.

Benefits of Participation

Participating companies will gain:

• A clear understanding of their current position on the human rights journey.
• Tools to assess and prioritize actual and potential human rights impacts.
• Practical steps to mitigate negative impacts, including setting up grievance mechanisms and remedies.
• Effective strategies for stakeholder engagement on human rights concerns.
• A structured Action Plan tailored to advancing human rights in their organization and beyond.
• Access to a global peer network, UN partners, and experts committed to advancing business and human rights.
• A Certificate of Completion to recognize successful participation in the program.

Program Timeline

• Applications Open: 10 September 2025
• Application Deadline: 19 December 2025
• Program Launch: February 2026 (exact dates confirmed with your Global Compact Country Network)

Why This Program Matters

The UN Global Compact Business & Human Rights Accelerator is more than a training program—it is a platform for companies to transform commitments into action. By integrating human rights due diligence into everyday operations, businesses not only strengthen their social impact but also build more sustainable and resilient value chains.

This initiative is especially relevant for businesses seeking to align with international standards, respond to stakeholder expectations, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE