The Call for Applications for the 3rd Central and Eastern Europe & Central Asia Summer Academy on Business and Human Rights is Open!
The 3rd Central and Eastern Europe & Central Asia Summer Academy on Business and Human Rights (Summer Academy) is the flagship educational initiative of the Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business (PIHRB) and the Ukrainian Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, organised in partnership with the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights and in collaboration with the UN Development Programme, the CEECA Resource Hub, and the CEE&CA Business and Human Rights Association. The 2025 edition is made possible thanks to support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the pro-bono engagement of partner organisations.
Programme Structure
The Summer Academy offers a unique opportunity to explore both the theoretical and practical dimensions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, with this year’s special focus being on HRDD, and in particular on human rights impact assessments.
The program is structured as follows:
- Self-Learning Component:
Prior to the Core Academy, all participants are provided with pre-course reading and video materials to familiarise themselves with the key concepts and topics. This self-learning phase ensures that everyone is prepared to engage fully in the live sessions. - The Core Academy:
- First Two Days:
An intensive introduction to all three pillars of the UNGPs: State duty to protect human rights, corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and access to remedy for victims. These sessions also provide an overview of key regulations, current and emerging trends, and challenges, with a focus on how international BHR standards are translated into everyday business practice across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. - Subsequent Days:
3-days of practice oriented sessions and workshops focus on how the international Business and Human Rights (BHR) standards can be translated into everyday business practice as well as on how, in practice, States and businesses, as well as other actors across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia are discharging their respective duties and responsibilities across the three pillars of the „Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework of the UNGPs.
- First Two Days:
The Summer Academy aims to:
- Deepen participants’ understanding of the relationship between human rights and business practices.
- Equip participants with knowledge and skills to drive change in their sectors.
- Empower participants to address challenges at the intersection of human rights and business more effectively.
- Foster a regional network of business and human rights professionals.
Who Should Apply?
The Summer Academy is open to individuals from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia — including representatives from business, NGOs/CSOs, trade unions, law firms, public administration, and (post)graduate students — who want to implement the UNGPs in their sectors and organisations.
Applicants need to:
- Be a national/citizen of a country in the Eastern European States Regional Group or Central Asia.
- Have a good working knowledge of English (certificates or self-certification accepted; interviews may be conducted).
- Have at least basic knowledge of human rights (confirmed by university or non-academic course, or explained in the motivation letter).
Detailed information concerning eligibility criteria and application process is provided on the dedicated Summer Academy website.
Deadline for submitting applications is July 19, 2025 (23.35 CEST).
To apply check the dedicated Summer Academy Webpage!
Certification
Participants who attend at least 90% of sessions and pass the final test will receive a Certificate. Participants who attend at least 90% of sessions but do not take the test will receive a Confirmation of Attendance. Outstanding alumni may be invited to present at future regional conferences.
To apply follow instructions provided at the dedicated Summer Academy Webpage!