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Building Supplier Capacity on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) Through Scalable E-Learning

From Standards to Practice 

Organizations: GIZ Responsible Business Hub (RBH) Network; Labor Solutions 

Launch Date: July 2025 

Geographic Scope: Global (23 countries)


Why This Matters 

Context and overview 

Suppliers across global value chains are under increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance with Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) requirements. While expectations are rising, many suppliers—particularly in sourcing countries—lack access to affordable, practical, and localized training that enables them to translate due diligence standards into day-to-day operational practice. 


To address this gap, the GIZ Responsible Business Hub (RBH) Network and Labor Solutions co-developed HREDD in Action: A Practical Approach for Suppliers, a free, scalable, multilingual e-learning program designed to build supplier implementation capacity rather than awareness alone. 


The course is delivered via the atingi learning platform and WOVO Educate, expanding access for suppliers, brands, and ecosystem partners. 


The Gap Suppliers Face 

Barriers to implementing HREDD in practice 

Suppliers face recurring structural challenges, including: 

  • Limited access to affordable, high-quality training 

  • Language and localization gaps 

  • Difficulty translating international standards into operational processes 

  • Misalignment between buyer expectations and supplier realities 


Without targeted and practical support, these barriers slow progress on responsible business conduct and increase compliance and reputational risk for both suppliers and buyers. 


Turning Expectations Into Action 

The HREDD e-learning solution 

The RBH Network and Labor Solutions designed a supplier-centric, practice-oriented e-learning program focused on operationalizing HREDD requirements. 


Key design principles included: 

  • Free and scalable access to remove cost barriers 

  • Multilingual delivery to support suppliers in sourcing countries 

  • Practical, application-first content embedded with tools and templates 

  • Alignment with buyer expectations through multinational peer review 


The program enables suppliers to apply HREDD concepts through e-learning directly within existing business processes. 


Designed for Application, Not Theory 

Program design and methodology 

The course was developed using a learner-centered methodology, including: 

  • Needs-based design informed by pre-survey data on supplier challenges across RBH countries 

  • Modular structure enabling flexible, self-paced learning 

  • Scenario-based learning and country-specific case studies reflecting real operating environments 

  • Embedded implementation tools, including: 

    • Risk identification and assessment templates 

    • Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) integration checklists 

    • Sample grievance mechanism components and remediation pathways 

    • Monitoring, documentation, and communication templates 

  • Peer review by 11 multinational enterprises to ensure alignment with buyer expectations 

  • Localization and translation to enhance relevance and comprehension 


Delivery via atingi and WOVO Educate enables open access, learner tracking, and certification. 

 

What the Program Covers 

Curriculum and module overview 

The program consists of 17 interactive modules, covering: 


Foundations of HREDD 

  • Introduction to HREDD 

  • Business relevance and resilience 

  • Human rights and environmental risks and impacts 


The HREDD Process (Supplier Perspective) 

  • Embedding Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) 

  • Risk identification and assessment 

  • Prevention and mitigation of adverse impacts 

  • Grievance mechanisms and access to remedy 

  • Monitoring and communication of performance 


Country-Specific Case Studies 

Cambodia; Tunisia; Pakistan; Türkiye; Bangladesh; Vietnam; Serbia 


Responsible Contracting 

Introduction to Supplier Model Contract Clauses 


Assessment and Certification 

Participants complete a knowledge assessment and receive an official certificate upon successful completion. 


Built for Global Access 

Accessibility and localization 

The course is available free of charge in: English; Khmer; Mandarin; Spanish; Turkish; Vietnamese; Urdu; French; Serbia; Bangla. 


This multilingual approach supports supplier learning in local business and regulatory contexts. 


What Changed 

Results and outcomes 

Within months of launch: 

  • Suppliers reached in 23 countries 

  • Hundreds of suppliers trained on practical HREDD implementation 

  • 17 modular learning units delivered at scale 

  • 11 multinational enterprises engaged as peer reviewers 

  • Strong uptake across sourcing regions, signaling demand for practical, supplier-focused capacity building 

 

How It Was Built 

Collaboration and governance 

The program was developed through collaboration between: 

  • GIZ Responsible Business Hub (RBH) Network 

  • Labor Solutions 

  • Responsible Contracting Project 

  • 11 multinational enterprises serving as peer reviewers 


This ensured technical credibility, operational feasibility, and alignment across buyers and suppliers. 


How This Fits Within an Integrated Due Diligence Approach 

The HREDD in Action e-learning program supports suppliers and brands at multiple points in the due diligence cycle. It can be deployed as a standalone capacity-building intervention or used alongside other tools to strengthen implementation and outcomes. 


Supporting Supplier Improvement 

The course builds practical understanding of roles, responsibilities, and implementation steps, increasing readiness for corrective action, remediation, and continuous improvement. 


Responding to Worker Insights 

Insights from worker voice and survey data, including WELL Survey results, can guide targeted deployment when gaps are identified in grievance mechanisms, access to remedy, or due diligence processes. 


Strengthening Grievance Handling 

When paired with CONNECT, the course ensures that individuals receiving worker messages understand: 

  • Worker rights and supplier responsibilities under HREDD 

  • How grievance mechanisms should function in practice 

  • Appropriate response, escalation, and remediation pathways 


This ensures worker messages are not only received, but understood and acted upon appropriately. 


Complementing Worker Education 

Supplier training can be paired with worker-focused education on rights awareness and grievance use, strengthening shared understanding, trust, and system effectiveness. 


Put It to Work

Check out the course today

Organizations seeking to strengthen supplier due diligence implementation, improve grievance mechanism effectiveness, or translate worker insights into action can deploy HREDD in Action: A Practical Approach for Suppliers as a standalone intervention or as part of an integrated approach.


The course is available free of charge via: 



 

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