A cornerstone of effective human rights due diligence 

At ETI, we believe that meaningful stakeholder engagement (MSE) is not just a good practice — it is a fundamental requirement for effective human rights due diligence (HRDD). It is only through authentic, inclusive engagement with those affected by business operations that companies can identify risks, prevent harm, and build lasting trust with workers and communities. 

As global expectations around responsible business conduct evolve, meaningful engagement is becoming an essential test of whether HRDD processes are credible, rights-respecting, and impactful. 

Why meaningful stakeholder engagement matters 

Businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights throughout their operations and supply chains. However, rights risks — particularly for vulnerable or marginalised groups —often go unseen or unaddressed unless those affected are given a genuine voice. 

MSE ensures that: 

• Risks are properly understood and prioritised from the perspective of rights-holders. 
• Mitigation efforts are informed by lived experience, making them more effective. 
• Trust and accountability are built over time, especially where relationships have historically been imbalanced. 

Our position is clear: Stakeholder engagement must go beyond box-ticking or passive consultation. For engagement to be meaningful, it must be: 

• Inclusive and rights-respecting – involving those whose human rights are or may be affected, particularly marginalised groups. 
• Ongoing and adaptive – not one-off or static, but an integral part of HRDD throughout the business lifecycle. 
• Transparent and two-way – grounded in mutual trust, openness, and responsiveness. 
• Enabling – supporting stakeholders to participate freely, safely, and with influence. 

These principles are based on international standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and shaped by ETI’s multi-stakeholder expertise. 

From principle to practice: How ETI supports members 

We help companies embed MSE into their HRDD through: 

• Capacity building – offering training and resources to build internal understanding and practical skills. 
• Peer learning – facilitating exchange between members, trade unions, NGOs, and worker representatives. 
• Advisory support – guiding companies in establishing and strengthening worker voice mechanisms. 
• Collaboration – supporting stakeholder-led approaches to remediation, risk assessment, and impact evaluation. 

Moving forward: Collective action for meaningful engagement 

Creating the conditions for genuine stakeholder dialogue is not easy, especially in complex, fragmented supply chains. But the cost of failing to engage is far greater — missed risks, broken trust, and reputational harm. 

ETI calls on companies to: 

• Treat MSE as core to HRDD, not a parallel or optional process.
• Resource it properly, including time, skills, and partnerships.
• Be open to learning and challenge, especially from those with different perspectives. 

As a multi-stakeholder alliance, ETI is committed to advancing meaningful engagement as both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for responsible business. 

Contact us to learn how we can support your company in building meaningful engagement into your human rights due diligence journey.

Case studies

Case study

Collective MSE as a critical part of heightened HRDD (hHRDD) amid crisis in Bangladesh

How can we engage with those affected by crises without diverting crucial attention and resources from the crisis response?

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Case study

Collective MSE for policy development and commitment: GAIA

This initiative seeks to develop principles to help identify and mitigate GBVH risks in commercial agriculture supply chains.

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Case study

Collective MSE for Risk Identification: Investigation into GBVH in James Finlay Kenya (JFK)

ETI chaired a steering group, tasked with overseeing an investigation into sexual abuse and harassment of workers.

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Case study

Collective MSE for prevention and mitigation: Rajasthan sandstone programme

ETI and our stone company members launched a project in Rajasthan, India to support ethical sourcing of sandstone from Rajasthan.

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Case study

Collective MSE for policy development and commitment: Homeworkers group

ETI worked with homeworkers, NGOs, trade unions, retailers and brands, contractors and local organisations in Northern India to develop a set of guidelines for companies working with homeworkers.

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