About this opportunity
Most businesses say they respect human rights. Far fewer can show, in a structured way, where their own operations and value chains create risk and what they are doing about it. The UN Global Compact Business and Human Rights Accelerator exists to close that gap. Over three months, companies work through the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights with facilitators, peer learners and their national Global Compact Network, and finish with a practical Action Plan they can take back to the business.
The programme is delivered through the UN Global Compact Academy and it runs in three flavours. Companies in listed countries, Nigeria among them, can join an in country track led by their Global Compact Country Network. Companies elsewhere in Africa can join the Africa track, which brings the continent's participating firms into shared regional sessions with the same curriculum. And if your country has no Accelerator network yet, the global track, facilitated in English, offers the same content to everyone.
There is no cash grant here. What companies gain is a gap analysis of their own practices, a prioritized view of their most salient human rights and labour rights risks, a starting point for a longer journey, and a certificate of completion. Applications for the 2027 cohort opened on 8 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026, with the programme beginning in February 2027. Space is limited, and the organisers advise applying early.
What you receive
- A practical Action Plan addressing your company's most salient human rights and labour rights risks
- A value chain scoping and gap analysis supported by facilitators and peer learning
- Guidance from your Global Compact Country Network, available through the in country, Africa or global track
- A clear starting point for your company's longer human rights journey
- A certificate of completion recognizing your participation
Who can apply
- Companies with a foundational understanding of human rights and labour rights that are ready to put it into practice
- Participating companies of the UN Global Compact in a listed country, Nigeria included, can sign up to the in country track through their Country Network
- Companies from across Africa can join the regional Africa track
- Companies located outside the listed countries can still apply to the global track, facilitated in English
Who should not apply
- The programme is designed for companies rather than individual applicants
- It assumes a foundational understanding of human rights and labour rights, so it is not an introductory course
Documents to prepare
- Details of your company and its operations for the application form
- A completed 2027 Accelerator application submitted through the official form
How to apply
- Decide your track: in country through your Global Compact Country Network if listed (Nigeria is on the list), the Africa regional track, or the global track
- Open the official 2027 application form at https://unglobalcompact.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CnxMgtu4JOfVQy
- Complete the form with your company details and human rights context
- Submit before 30 November 2026. Space is limited, so apply early
- If selected, join the Accelerator when it begins in February 2027
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed by the UN Global Compact Academy team against the programme's participation criteria
- Because space is limited, early applications are advised
- Successful companies join their assigned track and complete the three month curriculum from February 2027
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Is this a grant programme?
No. It is a three month guided programme that ends with a practical Action Plan for your business and a certificate of completion. No participation fee is stated on the programme page.
Which track should a Nigerian company choose?
Nigeria appears on the list of countries running the Accelerator through their Global Compact Country Network, so an in country track is the natural first option. The Africa regional track and the global track are also open.
When does the cohort run?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 and the Accelerator begins in February 2027, running for three months.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
