VPSHR in Practice – Highlights from VPI Members
November 5, 2025 •
The Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) has released its 2024 Annual Reports Highlights, capturing how Member companies, NGOs, and governments are implementing and promoting the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) at the local, regional, and international levels.
Compiled from 36 annual report submissions from 26 companies, seven NGOs, and three governments, the 2024 Annual Reports Highlights showcases Members’ continued improvement, along with innovative approaches that are strengthening conflict prevention, human rights, and community relations.
What Stood Out
Across 2024, Member companies delivered risk management by integrating community perspectives, independent expertise, and grievance data into early-warning systems. Members reported training to be immersive and inclusive, using scenario-based exercises and digital tools while extending beyond private guards to employees, contractors, and public security forces.
Community engagement and grievance handling remain central to solving problems early and preventing conflict. Members reported that dialogue forums, perception surveys, and gender-sensitive consultations deepened trust, while grievance mechanisms aimed to become more accessible and transparent through mobile platforms, SMS hotlines, and community-led processes. For instance, several companies established women-only consultation groups to capture perspectives often excluded from community forums.
In 2024, Members piloted new technologies, tested participatory training methods, introduced independent oversight of security providers, and disclosed performance data to communities, with the aim of building accountability and credibility. Multi-stakeholder security committees, bringing together authorities, civil society, and community representatives, acted as practical problem-solving forums, and, according to members, helping to de-escalate tensions and align expectations on rules of engagement and incident response.
Looking Ahead
Members outlined plans to further strengthen their VPSHR implementation in 2025 and beyond. These commitments reflected both lessons learned from past challenges and an awareness of emerging risks linked to geopolitical instability, climate change, and the global energy transition.
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About the VPI
The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are an internationally recognized set of principles that guide companies on how to conduct their security operations while ensuring respect for human rights. To promote implementation of the Principles, the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) was created. The Initiative is comprised of over 80 Members and Observers including companies, governments, and non-governmental organizations that share best practices and mutually support the implementation of the Principles.