It is a strategic focus for DCA to promote responsible business conduct (RBC) and Business and Human Rights (BHR) through human rights and environmental due diligence in market system and value chain projects and partnerships as well as through local and global advocacy efforts. RBC and BHR presents principled and practical pathways to protecting rights holders and creating positive impacts.
DCA believes that multistakeholder collaboration, including working with international organisations businesses, research institutions, state actors and civil society and convening dialogues and collaboration across are essential for testing new solutions and conducting effective evidence-based advocacy. DCA is part of different multistakeholder initiatives, including Ethical Trade Denmark and UN Global Compact.
The following presents key examples of how DCA aim to foster multistakeholder collaboration through dialogue, research, partnerships and activities to progress RBC and BHR policy and practices.
Publications
Beyond Compliance: Building Rights-centred and Resilient Supply Chains
This publication brings together learnings and perspectives from DanChurchAid (DCA) and other practitioners working to advance BHR policy and practice in East and Horn of Africa while contributing to broader regional and global discussions on RBC. The purpose of this publication is to share experiences, learnings, dilemmas and research from practitioners seeking to support implementation of RBC in East Africa and beyond. By bringing together perspectives from rights holders, civil society, businesses, public institutions and international organisations, the publication seeks to contribute to stronger due diligence practices, more accountable supply chains and more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.
The publication relates recent policy developments and practical experiences to environmental and human rights due diligence (HREDD), including responsible supply chain management, access to remedy and alternative grievance mechanisms. It showcases examples of how a risk-based and context-sensitive approach to due diligence can help prevent harm while strengthening business resilience, supporting market access, promoting responsible investment and improving outcomes for workers, communities and consumers.
Joining Forces for a Just Transition – Sustainable and Responsible Markets, and Employment Opportunities for the Next Generation
Transitioning toward low-carbon and resilient economies and societies is essential to securing a climate-proof and environmentally sustainable future. Beyond responding to the urgent climate crisis, this transition presents transformative opportunities to advance sustainable development. When pursued in a fair and inclusive manner, it can reshape economies and labour markets to be environmentally sound, socially just, and economically equitable. For younger generations, it offers pathways into green jobs and emerging sectors that contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.
This case compilation from October 2025 seeks to broaden the understanding of how RBC can be practically implemented across diverse contexts and explores how multi-stakeholder collaboration can drive an inclusive green transition. Drawing on cases from Kenya, Bangladesh, Denmark, Nepal, and Ethiopia, the publication highlights practical approaches and lessons learned to ensure that the transition is not only environmentally sound, but also just and inclusive. From these cases, seven recommendations for scaling a just green transition are drawn to promote more inclusive, rights-based, and environmentally sound approaches to a just transition, aligned with internationally recognised standards and principles.
Enhancing the Resilience of Food Systems through Responsible Business Conduct
Enhancing RBC across food systems presents a significant opportunity not only for people and the planet but also for businesses themselves. Through the case compilation launched in 2024 “The Business Case for Food Systems Change: Enhancing the Resilience of Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa through Responsible Business Conduct and Multistakeholder Approaches” we highlight the advantage of systematic investment screenings and prioritisation of agroecological enterprises that should include and benefit those most-at-need to ensure both short- and long-term food security and advise to steer national policy towards these aspirations as well as environmental and human rights due diligence EU regulation.
Creating a positive impact for rights-holders – workers, consumers, and local communities in areas of operation – and avoiding negative impacts such as environmental pollution also strengthens the resilience of food value chains while making a strong business case. DCA supports the transition to sustainable, climate resilient food production through agroecology-based approaches – integrating yield and nutrition gains, social equity, local value chain and market development, climate adaptation and mitigation action as well as biodiversity benefits. A shorter overview of the key related recommendations are also available here through this link.
Policy Progress and ‘Best Practice’ in East Africa
In November 2023 DCA released the “Bringing Principles into Practice: Promoting Responsible Business Conduct through Business and Human Rights Principles and Multistakeholder Engagement in East Africa” case compilation, which compiled several inputs from actors who has experience promoting and advancing responsible business conduct through business and human rights principles within East Africa. This report presents cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and from a regional perspective to highlight how multistakeholder engagements can help strengthen the foundation for business and human rights policy and how it can translate into RBC practices.
Multistakeholder Business and Human Rights Dialogue
The business and human rights agenda has gained particular traction in the East African region, where Kenya and Uganda as the first countries on the African continent have adopted a national action plan on business and human rights (NAP), and other countries have committed to embark on similar journeys. Whereas NAPs constitute a unique opportunity to guide activities to enhance the implementation of existing national human rights law, states and businesses must also prepare for the increase in binding regulation of global supply chains. The adoption of the CS3D will soon increase the demand from private corporations to account for human rights and climate impact throughout their value chains.
The East African region is one of the world’s richest natural resource regions and attracts significant attention in the extractive and energy sectors. Many countries in the region possess vast areas of fertile land, which are essential for sustenance of communities and agricultural industries. Land Based Investments (LBIs) are implemented with a view to contribute to GDP growth and agri-food value chains, which are essential to tackle food security challenges persisting in the region. While LBIs contribute to economic development and provide for multiple employment opportunities and infrastructure development in the region, they have also been associated with risks to workers-, land-, and environmental rights.
In 2026, the East & Horn of Africa Business and Human Rights Dialogue was convened in Nairobi. Information about the programme is available through this site. In 2023, DCA – in partnership with a number of organisations – organised a wider dialogue to address these challenges and further progress policy in Kampala. The main take aways from both dialogues are available below. See also here, reflections from the UNDP on Dialogue as a Pathway to Change 2026.
Partnerships
Below are a examples of the partnerships DCA engage in to support progress on BHR and RBC.
The Cultivating Justice Partnership
Cultivating Justice is a multi-year initiative designed to strengthen responsible business conduct in Kenya’s agribusiness sector by empowering the people and institutions closest to the issues. It builds skills, resources and coordinated structures for documenting human rights violations, supporting collective redress and enhancing oversight on labour, environmental and governance standards. Alongside this, the project creates formal spaces for dialogue between civil society, private sector players and government institutions to promote transparency, experience-sharing and implementation of human rights and environmental due diligence.
Read more about the partnership: Cultivating Justice – DanChurchAid.org
Enhancing transition to green and sustainable economic growth in Palestine
This partnership has aimed to tackled the issue by promoting climate-smart farming practices and fostering sustainable development within the dates value chain. The project addressed key risks and constraints faced by farmers, such as inadequate farming techniques and market access challenges. By enhancing international demand for Palestinian dates, the goal is to create a green, sustainable, and inclusive economy. This aligns with the Danish Embassy’s priorities in Palestine. DCA ensured continuous engagement with the Representative Office of Denmark in Ramallah to support these efforts and enhance the livelihoods of local farmers. Read more about the value chain partnership: Green Dates and Sustainable Markets – DanChurchAid.org
Monitoring, Documentation and Advocacy for Human Rights in Uganda
The partnership with Witness Radio aims to create a mass of land and rights defenders in communities and districts, allowing them to participate in policymaking and development processes. This involves sub-regional human rights defenders, community land and environmental defenders, and consortium partners, ensuring community members are aware of legal frameworks protecting their rights and environment. Additionally, focus is on enhancing economic opportunities for communities through responsible investments, sustainable use of environment and natural resources, secure land access, income-generating activities, livelihood security, and reduced vulnerability to environmental shocks. Read more about the activities here: Mining and Marginalization in Karamoja – DanChurchAid.org
Read more about DCAs work with private sector partners: Private Sector Partnerships – DanChurchAid
Contact caba@dca.dk for more information related to Business and Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct activities.