Corporate Respect for Human Rights in Conflict-Affected and High Risks Areas
Acronym: CAHRA
Abstract
The ‘Corporate Respect for Human Rights in Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas (CAHRA)’ addresses the urgent need for robust Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) implementation by companies operating in or sourcing from areas facing conflict. The project directly responds to the evolving legal landscape of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and related regulations. Our core objective is to build the capacity of HEIs in both Colombia and Ukraine, enabling them to act as sustainable regional hubs for HRDD training and expertise. Key activities include intensive ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programs for university faculty (equipping them with in-depth knowledge of international law, EU regulations, and conflict-sensitive HRDD), collaborative curriculum development workshops (creating new and updating existing HRDD training modules tailored to the specific challenges of each region), stakeholder engagement workshops (fostering partnerships between HEIs, businesses, government bodies, civil society organizations, and local communities), and the creation of an open-access online resource platform. CAHRA will benefit over 400 participants, including university professors, researchers, students, local businesses, and civil society representatives. 5 key outputs: training modules, practical HRDD guidelines, toolkits for businesses, policy briefs, and an online platform. The anticipated results include strengthened regional HRDD expertise within the partner HEIs, improved compliance with EU regulations (including the CSDDD and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation), enhanced ethical and sustainable supply chain management practices among local businesses, and the establishment of strong collaborative networks to foster continued progress on business and human rights in conflict-affected regions. Ultimately, CAHRA aims to contribute to more transparent and ethical supply chains, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights in conflict- affected.
Coordinator: NOVA School of Law
Principal Investigator: Laura Iñigo Alvarez
Project number: 101237553
Call: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE
Topic: ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-
Project starting date: 01/10/2025
Duration: 36 months
Total Budget: 660.874€
