The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) methodology serves to align development cooperation policies to the human rights commitments of our partners, and it is key in ensuring that no one is left behind, helping to address the multiple discriminations faced by people in vulnerable situations.

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EU Member State Country Briefs

    The Briefs present a collection of guidelines and strategies on the rights-based approach, integrating gender mainstreaming, as applied in the EU Member States. The briefs have been developed in close collaboration with EU Member States and will be updated on a regular basis.

    How to integrate gender and the RBA into the Action Document: methodology and some examples

      Gender equality, women’s empowerment and the leave no one behind approach are key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Nevertheless, even if the commitment to mainstreaming or integrating gender analysis and perspective across all instruments and modalities is gaining prominence in the Commission, the practice is not yet as robust as intended. In many contexts gender mainstreaming is happening in the social sectors but is limited to separate components in other sectors. Same applies also to the Rights Based Approach. Then, we need to strengthen our competences, both at HQ and EUD, regarding the new coming programmes.

      Duration: 1 h 45 min

      Also available in French; Spanish

      Human Rights Based Approach

        What are the working principles of the Human Rights Based Approach? This short animated video explains  the HRBA  five working principles and how to apply them.

        Duration: 4 min

        The Human Rights Based Approach

          This self-paced course is a complementary learning tool to the HRBA Virtual Toolbox. While the HRBA Toolbox provides detailed guidance for each step of the programming process, this self-paced course enables you to get familiar with the basics of the approach. It allows you to test your knowledge in an engaging and interactive way.


          Duration: 2.5 hours

          The Human Rights Based Approach Virtual Toolbox

            This is a virtual and interactive version of the updated HRBA Toolbox, the Commission Staff Working Document "Applying the Human Rights Based Approach to international partnerships - An updated Toolbox for placing rights-holders at the centre of EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation" adopted on 30 June 2021.  The HRBA is a methodology that applies to all EU external actions, in whatever sector or whatever country. Through the application of the HRBA, interventions will deliver more relevant and sustainable results, improving the lives of all individuals.


            Duration: 1h 15min