SwedBio works to include an equity, democracy and rights perspectives in all its activities. SwedBio emphasizes a human rights-based approach (HRBA), as one of its cross-cutting principles.

SwedBio’s HRBA policy provides comprehensive and practical guidance for the SwedBio programme. It serves as guidance for the SwedBio team and partner organizations, outlining clear actions and decisions to effectively apply HRBA principles. While the primary audience is the SwedBio team and partners, the content may also be helpful to a broader audience interested in understanding how SwedBio incorporates a human rights-based approach into its activities.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. They include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work and education, among others. Everyone is entitled to these rights without discrimination.  While all people are born equal, opportunities may not be. The rights-based approach seeks to ensure that people are able to achieve equal opportunities and protect their way of life and environment. This includes the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), which upholds the right of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination. It affirms that Indigenous Peoples and local communities have the right to receive information, participate in decision-making, and give or withhold consent regarding any actions or initiatives that may affect their lands, territories, resources, and knowledge.

Committed to promoting human rights, justice, and inclusion, as well as accountability in all aspects of the programme, SwedBio aims to address the interconnected biodiversity, climate, and human rights crises by nurturing inclusive and equitable collaborations that connect local knowledge and experiences to global policy, enabling transformative solutions for the well-being of people and nature. This policy supports SwedBio’s mission by ensuring its work is grounded in a human rights-based framework that aligns with international human rights standards, thereby promoting accountability, transparency, participation, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity. This enhances the impact and relevance of the programme while fostering sustainable outcomes in collaboration with partner organizations.