DDF Learning Report out now!
The first edition of our new learning report, Applied Due Diligence: Lessons Learned through the Due Diligence Fund, is now available: a practical, evidence-based guide for strengthening HREDD in global agricultural supply chains. The report is designed for companies, policymakers, and implementing partners seeking actionable, practice-oriented insights to enhance their due diligence processes.
Applied Due Diligence
Why this report matters
Human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) is increasingly mandated by national and international regulations. At the same time, it is far more than a regulatory requirement: effective HREDD is essential for building resilient, equitable, and future-proof supply chains. Yet many companies struggle to move from abstract principles to practical implementation.
This report addresses that gap. It demonstrates how internationally recognised frameworks such as the UNGPs and the OECD Guidelines can be translated into realistic, effective, and context-specific action within agricultural supply chains – and how companies can move beyond compliance to create meaningful value for both their businesses and rightsholders on the ground.
What the report provides
Drawing on evidence from 13 pilot projects funded by the Due Diligence Fund (DDF), the report draws practical insights from diverse contexts and commodities, ranging from large-scale crops like coffee and cocoa to specialised botanicals. These projects piloted new approaches, generated operational evidence, and revealed common success factors as well as recurring challenges.
The report consolidates these findings into six core thematic areas that are central to effective HREDD:
- Risk Assessment and Prioritisation
- Development and Implementation of Prevention and Mitigation Measures
- Digitalisation and Traceability
- Grievance Mechanism
- Meaningful Engagement and Collaboration
- Women in Due Diligence.
These lessons reinforce existing guidance while demonstrating, through practical examples, the key levers and common barriers that shape effective due diligence implementation.
Methodology
The findings stem from a qualitative content analysis of the individual project reports and notes from regular update calls and workshops. Recurring challenges and success factors were carefully identified, grouped into themes, and summarized into clear, practical lessons. These lessons were then cross-checked against the original source texts to ensure accuracy and to illustrate how established principles manifest in practice, including the challenges that arise when they are overlooked.
Further resources
Due Diligence Fund
Funded projects