Navigating the maze: MEDIATE workshop on HREDD tools
25.06.2026
On 10 June 2026, MEDIATE brought together a diverse group of stakeholders in Brussels—including representatives from government, business, civil society, academia, and the private sector—to explore how Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) tools can support meaningful change in practice.
A growing and complex tool landscape
With more than 180 tools already identified, participants highlighted both the richness and the complexity of this ecosystem, as well as the challenges users face in identifying and selecting tools that are truly fit for purpose.
Key insights from the discussion
The workshop generated several important insights. Participants emphasised that tools are not neutral: they embed different assumptions about risk, responsibility, and what effective due diligence looks like. Discussions also highlighted persistent gaps in the current landscape, including the lack of guidance for tool selection and limited support for implementation and risk mitigation.
The growing role of AI and digital platforms emerged as a key theme, bringing both opportunities and concerns related to transparency and accountability.
Between compliance and impact
A recurring topic throughout the workshop was the tension between compliance and impact. While companies need practical and user-friendly tools, participants stressed that meaningful change requires approaches that go beyond formal compliance and engage with real-world risks.
What makes a credible tool?
Participants also explored what makes a “credible” HREDD tool, pointing to criteria such as transparency, stakeholder engagement, data quality, and the ability to drive real-world impact. At the same time, important questions remain about how these criteria can be applied in practice.
Read the full blog
A full analytical reflection on the insights from the workshop can be found in this blog post, which is also available on our Publications page.