Insights into our work
Since 2021, Sustainable Links has supported more than 20 clients in setting up their due diligence processes.
Our clients operate in industries such as automotive, biotechnology, chemicals, energy, food, media, public transport, pharmaceuticals, tourism and textiles. They range from small and medium-sized enterprises to major listed companies, from NGOs to industry associations.
Mina Aryobsei-Bergmann
Head of Human Rights Office
Merck KGaA
"Sustainable Links know how to embed human rights due diligence in a global company and involve internal and external stakeholders in the process. As sparring partners, they support us with their extensive expertise and process knowledge in areas such as strategic alignment, risk analysis, risk prevention with a view to particularly vulnerable groups, stakeholder engagement and improving grievance systems. This gives our team the targeted support we need."
Understanding risk landscape and organisation
We support companies in identifying human rights risks in their business operations and value chains and help them design appropriate responses.
Creating a better understanding of the risk landscape in medicinal tea supply chains
Sustainable Links supported Bad Heilbrunner to gain a better understanding of its value chain and risk exposure for key commodities and in proactively addressing risks. The aim was to develop a strategy for risk management in the supply chain and anchor it in the product portfolio, that takes into account stakeholder expectations on human rights due diligence while strengthening long-term partnerships and supplier relationships.
Understanding and addressing sector-specific human rights and environmental risks
In a consortium with three other partner organizations, Sustainable Links supported a European industry association in understanding the sector’s human rights and environmental risk exposure along global supply chains and define a way forward with proactive due diligence and responsible sourcing. The project included engagement with stakeholders and experts in the industry and beyond to understand key supply chains and expectations and identify good practice, an assessment of existing sector performance against these and the development of recommendations for the sector as a starting point for more tailored due diligence activities.
Mapping risks in procurement categories and development of action plans
For an energy company, Sustainable Links supported category managers, buyers and colleagues from the business units of selected higher-risk procurement categories with a peer learning program over a period of four months to identify risks in their procurement categories and to define the cornerstones of a roadmap for future risk management. Led by us, the participants mapped their supply chain, conducted an initial risk analysis and developed concrete action plans, as well as basic principles and requirements for future responsible buying practices.
Developing and implementing tailor-made strategies
We know what makes a strong human rights strategy and work closely with our clients to develop tailored strategies aligned with their level of ambition.
Continuous support with strategy and integration of human rights due diligence
Sustainable Links works with a biotechnology company on the further development and implementation of its human rights strategy, the establishment of internal governance structures and the implementation of regular and ad-hoc risk analyses with a focus on own operations. Among other things, risk owners in the company were identified for all risk topics, trained and continuously supported for their role in the due diligence process.
Improvement of risk management through targeted training
Sustainable Links supported a chemical group in designing and implementing trainings on human rights and environmental due diligence for its global managing directors and site managers. In two training cycles over two years, participants identified abstract risks at their sites and discussed ways to more effectively implement due diligence, e.g. through effective preventive measures.
Implementing proactive and risk-based due diligence in the supply chain
Sustainable Links supported a real estate company in developing a tailored approach to identifying human rights risks within its procurement categories and strategically improving risk management in purchasing. Through hands-on training sessions and a user-friendly toolbox, procurement staff were empowered to conduct in-depth analyses of high-risk suppliers and proactively develop mitigation measures. They learned, among other things, how to gather and validate information from suppliers, conduct targeted supplier dialogues, and identify relevant information for supplier training courses.
Achieving sustainable improvements for rightsholders
We enable companies to implement risk-based measures and achieve sustainable impact for people.
Developing practical action plans and preventive measures
Sustainable Links supported the German Energy Sector Dialogue in developing a set of measures to prevent human rights risks for migrant workers in construction projects. In cooperation with the various interest groups in the Sector Dialogue as well as external stakeholders we developed a comprehensive set of measures for both internal implementation in individual companies and industry-wide cooperation. Based on interviews and research, including on approaches from other sectors, proposals for measures were developed that focus on the concrete improvement of the situation for rightsholders on construction sites while at the same time taking into account the maturity level of the members in the implementation of due diligence. The members of the Sector Dialogue have committed to piloting selected measures and sharing lessons learned.
Addressing human rights risks in the supply chain through a risk-based approach
Sustainable Links supported an automotive supplier with a deep dive on human rights risks in an Asian sourcing country. In a tailor-made training, selected category managers were enabled to identify, evaluate and prioritize risks specific to their categories, such as modern slavery. With guidance, the participants developed detailed risk profiles of individual components and derived concrete action plans - both with regard to individual suppliers as well as the purchasing organisation overall. The newly acquired knowledge and practical experience strengthened the skills of individual purchasers in the area of due diligence and improved the company's overall risk management.
Strengthening capabilities in production countries
On behalf of GIZ, Sustainable Links supported the Responsible Business Helpdesk (RBH) Vietnam in capability building for implementing human rights due diligence. Through two Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions, conducted in collaboration with local partners, Vietnamese consultants and service providers were introduced to due diligence requirements and trained to apply them in their own advisory practices. The training covered the fundamental principles of risk-based due diligence, the requirements of relevant due diligence laws and their implications for Vietnamese suppliers, as well as the practical application and further development of relevant methods. In the second year, the participants carried out concrete advisory projects in groups with Vietnamese companies, systematically applying due diligence approaches. These projects focused on issues such as forced labor and modern slavery, excessive overtime, and sexual harassment. Sustainable Links supported the participants through a peer-learning program consisting of multiple exchange and learning sessions, as well as feedback on the approach, methodology, and tools used in the case studies. The outcomes and lessons learned from these projects will be published to enable other service providers to benefit from them.
"What makes stakeholder engagement meaningful? 5 insights from practice" by Sustainable Links - Insight Series UNGC Germany Link to publication
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"Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement for Effective Human Rights Due Diligence" with Madeleine Koalick
Link to video podcast