Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI)

The Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) is led by indigenous peoples, community representatives, and supportive NGOs working collectively to address the root causes of killings and violence against human rights defenders linked to global supply chains, counting over 100 members in 2024. The initiative was founded at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in 2019 by FPP in collaboration with multiple partners and allies, and FPP continues to host a secretariat for the network.

The ZTI focuses on three strategic areas:

1. strengthening collective protection of communities at risk;
2. building global solidarity, and
3. improving corporate practices and public policies.

To complement these strategies, the ZTI steering group launched a flagship initiative in 2021 – the ZTI Urgent Response and Prevention Fund – which covers both emergency funding and longer-term prevention initiatives aimed at addressing root causes of the threats to defenders, and fostering long-term community resilience.

ZTI belongs to us and it is ZTI that will take us to where we want to go.” - John Paul Bai, ZTI Steering Group Member, Sierra Leone Land Alliance