National Business Initiative (NBI) successfully conducted a two-day capacity building training on Business and Human Rights (B+HR) at the Himalaya Drishya Resort in Dhulikhel, Kavre. The event brought together 30 participants from diverse businesses, including SMEs and large corporations, alongside representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration.

• Familiarizing participants with foundational B+HR concepts, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), CSR, ESG, SDGs, and responsible business conduct
• Building practical skills in Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) — from risk assessment to integration and tracking
• Equipping participants with tools and resources for effective human rights implementation, including grievance mechanisms
• Fostering collaboration between businesses and CSOs to enhance human rights outcomes

The training was facilitated by Puspa Pokharel, Director of National Law College and an expert in Business and Human Rights, with support from the NBI team. Sessions combined interactive lectures, group workshops, case studies, quizzes, and floor discussions to ensure active engagement and practical learning.

Training Highlights

Day 1 covered the evolution of B+HR norms, the three pillars of UNGPs (Protect, Respect, Remedy), and an in-depth look at Nepal's National Action Plan. Participants engaged in hypothetical case discussions and a hands-on HRDD workshop focused on supply chain risk and impact assessment.

Day 2 deepened HRDD practice with sessions on integration, tracking, and communication, followed by responsible business conduct frameworks and a dedicated session on stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms. The training concluded with a facilitated discussion on fostering collaboration between CSOs and businesses.