Voluntary Principles Initiative

What Voluntary Principles Initiative does

The Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) is a multi-stakeholder non-profit initiative founded on December 20, 2000, that promotes the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR), described as the leading global standard on security and human rights and implemented in over 150 countries. Its core offering is the VPSHR framework — a set of principles guiding companies on how to conduct security operations while respecting human rights — accompanied by a suite of implementation tools including the Implementation Guidance Tools (IGT, 2011), the 10 Steps to Maintain Security guidance (VPs101), the Conflict Analysis Tool (2022), the IGT Companion Tool on Gender and Disadvantaged Groups (2023), Guidance on Respecting the Rights of Human Rights Defenders (2023), and related training modules. The VPI's platform also encompasses a public Resource Library of 67 resources across nine thematic areas and a network of In-Country Working Groups operating on a tripartite model — governments, companies, and NGOs — with directly-administered ICWGs in Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Nigeria, and Partner Working Groups in Colombia, DRC, Guatemala, Mozambique, and Peru.

The VPI is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from the three pillars and historically operated via contracted service providers; in 2026 it transitioned to a permanent in-house Secretariat and appointed its first Executive Director, Steven Malby. It sustains itself financially through annual membership fees paid by corporate and government members (NGO members are fee-exempt), with a tiered Engaged-to-Full member pathway applied twice yearly. The Initiative's distribution model combines direct membership engagement, ICWG-based on-the-ground implementation, an annual plenary meeting drawing approximately 140 participants, content marketing via website and social channels, and active integration into third-party standards (ICMM Mining Principles, IRMA, World Gold Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles, OECD Due Diligence Guidance, Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practice).

Name

Voluntary Principles Initiative

Legal name

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Association

Website

https://voluntaryprinciples.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Voluntary Principles Initiative is a multi-stakeholder non-profit that promotes the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR), the leading global standard on security and human rights, bringing together governments, companies, and NGOs to support its implementation in over 150 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Rights Standards and Implementation Guidance

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), International Affairs (92812), National Security and International Affairs (9281), National Security and International Affairs (928), National Security (928110)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Security Sector Governance & Police Reform (BPADAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH)

Keywords

• Human rights framework
• Security operations guidance
• Multistakeholder initiative
• Responsible business conduct
• Corporate human rights

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The VPI generates revenue through annual membership fees from corporate and government members. NGO members are not required to pay fees. Corporate and government Engaged Members pay reduced fees. OECD government members are required to pay fees unless on the OECD Development Assistance Committee ODA recipients list.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR), a leading global standard guiding companies on conducting security operations while respecting human rights. VPI convenes companies, governments, and NGOs to develop and disseminate implementation guidance tools, training, conflict analysis tools, and on-the-ground working groups that support VPSHR adoption across extractive and other high-risk industries operating in over 150 countries.

Product overview

The Voluntary Principles Initiative offers a suite of guidance frameworks, tools, and training resources for implementing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) - the leading global standard on security and human rights. The core VPSHR framework is supported by the Implementation Guidance Tools (IGT), 10 Steps guidance (VPs101), Conflict Analysis Tool, IGT Companion Tool for gender and disadvantaged groups, and Guidance on Human Rights Defenders. The IGT Companion Tool complements the foundational IGT by focusing on vulnerable populations. All tools are accessible through the Resource Library which contains 67 resources across nine thematic areas. In-Country Working Groups in multiple countries support on-the-ground implementation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) The core framework of principles that guide companies on conducting security operations while respecting human rights. Originally drafted for oil, gas and mining, application now spans energy, renewables, mining, agriculture, critical minerals, infrastructure, manufacturing, and public security agencies.
• Implementation Guidance Tools (IGT) Foundational guidance document providing non-prescriptive tools for companies to ensure security operations respect human rights, including modules on stakeholder engagement, risk assessment, public security providers, and private security providers.
• 10 Steps to Maintain Security in Compliance with Human Rights (VPs101) Concise operational guidance tool offering 10 steps for companies and security professionals to establish a meaningful security and human rights program aligned to business strategy.
• Conflict Analysis Tool for Companies Tool that helps company staff understand conflict dynamics in their area of operation, determine the company's impacts on those dynamics, and generate options to mitigate negative impacts on human rights and conflict risks.
• IGT Companion Tool - Gender and Disadvantaged Groups Complementary resource to the IGT that operationalizes the VPSHR through the lens of protecting and respecting the unique needs and rights of women and other disadvantaged groups.
• Guidance on Respecting the Rights of Human Rights Defenders Guidance document that sharpens the focus of VPSHR on human rights defenders and the wider civic space, offering an analytical and operational framework to identify and address risks to human rights defenders.
• VPI Resource Library Comprehensive online library providing tools and knowledge across nine thematic areas: access to remedies, case studies, conflict, gender and vulnerable groups, key resources, public and private security, risk assessment, training materials, and working groups. Contains 67 resources including guidance, tools, webinars, reports and documents.
• In-Country Working Groups (ICWGs) Multi-stakeholder working groups supporting on-the-ground implementation of VPSHR. VPI ICWGs operate in Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Nigeria. Partner ICWGs operate in Colombia, DRC, Guatemala, Mozambique, Peru, and Papua New Guinea.
• Training on Respecting the Rights of Human Rights Defenders Training module providing an overview of the HRD Guidance for implementation into VPSHR policies and procedures, supporting businesses, governments, and civil society in understanding and integrating the guidance.
• IGT Companion Tool Training & Participant Workbook Comprehensive training developed by Stratos (now ERM) and VPI NGO Member IMPACT to help practitioners understand and utilize the IGT Companion Tool, including a Participant Workbook with real-life scenarios and case studies.
• VPI Membership Tiered membership offering (Engaged Member and Full Member tiers) for companies, governments, and NGOs to join the tripartite initiative and gain access to resources, peer learning, and implementation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• VPSHR implemented in 150+ countries worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ICMM (International Council on Mining & Metals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association that has collaborated on the development of Implementation Guidance Tools. ICMM members are major mining companies that implement VPSHR.
• World Gold CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal industry association and standard-setter for the gold mining sector. Approved as VPI Observer. VPSHR embedded in WGC Responsible Gold Mining Principles.
• IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry initiative for responsible mining assurance. VPSHR embedded in IRMA standards for responsible mining.
• OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVPSHR embedded in OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. VPI Observer organization.
• Responsible Jewellery CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVPSHR embedded in Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practice, directly integrated into supply chain mechanisms.
• IpiecacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal oil and gas industry association for environmental and social responsibility. Contributed to development of Implementation Guidance Tools.
• DCAF (Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization focused on security sector governance. Collaborated on toolkit for addressing security and human rights challenges in complex environments.
• ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization. Co-developed Implementation Guidance Tools and resources on security and human rights.
• ICoCA (International Code of Conduct Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation for private security providers. Collaborates on promoting best practices in private security regulation and training.
• IFC (International Finance Corporation)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational finance institution and VPI Observer. Contributed to development of Implementation Guidance Tools.
• Cobalt InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for the cobalt industry. VPI Observer organization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM): Industry association for mining and metals that has embedded the VPSHR in its Mining Principles. ICMM co-developed Implementation Guidance Tools with VPI and represents overlapping corporate members (BHP, AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick) addressing security and human rights in extractive operations.
• International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA): Multi-stakeholder governance body for private security providers that collaborates with VPI on private security regulation and training. ICoCA addresses the same human rights and security interface in high-risk environments, with overlapping NGO and corporate stakeholders.
• Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): Multi-stakeholder standard for responsible mining that embeds VPSHR in its mine-site assessment standard. IRMA operates a similar tripartite governance model and addresses the same extractive sector buyers and operators as VPI.
• World Gold Council: Market development organization for the gold industry whose Responsible Gold Mining Principles embed the VPSHR. WGC is a VPI Observer and works with overlapping mining majors and refiners on human rights and security due diligence.
• Ipieca: Global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social performance that co-developed Implementation Guidance Tools with VPI. Ipieca represents the same upstream oil and gas majors that drive VPI membership (BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil) and addresses overlapping human rights and security topics.
• Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF): International organization focused on security sector reform that co-developed toolkits with VPI addressing security and human rights in complex environments. DCAF and VPI share a tripartite, government-focused operating model and overlapping donor base.
• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains: OECD-hosted framework for responsible mineral supply chain due diligence that embeds the VPSHR. The OECD is a VPI Observer and the two frameworks are frequently referenced together in corporate human rights policy.
• Responsible Jewellery Council: Multi-stakeholder standards-setting body for the jewellery supply chain whose Code of Practice embeds the VPSHR. RJC addresses overlapping supply chain participants and applies VPSHR across mining, processing, and manufacturing stages.

Broad incumbents

• Equator Principles Association: Risk management framework adopted by financial institutions for project finance that incorporates human rights and environmental standards comparable to VPSHR. Represents a broader-incumbent standard-setter in the same human rights due diligence ecosystem.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards: World Bank Group member institution whose Performance Standards govern project-level environmental and social risk management, including security and human rights. IFC is a VPI Observer and contributor to the Implementation Guidance Tools, and the two frameworks are routinely co-applied in project finance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdYNcmL2niLvt63-lp7imQw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/voluntaryprinciples

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Voluntary Principles Initiative