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The Child Rights Action Hub DRC ('Action Hub') provides a collaborative, on-the-ground solution for companies seeking to address child labour linked to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of critical minerals (including cobalt and copper). Our model enables companies to meet human rights due diligence (HRDD) requirements while delivering lasting, positive impact for children, families and mining communities.

Over a dozen international companies are already funding the initiative, with further support from the Fair Cobalt Alliance and through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) Modern Slavery Fund. The Action Hub offers businesses a proven platform to engage in meaningful risk-based human rights due diligence.

• The DRC produces 70% of the world’s cobalt, with 10–30% coming from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). It is nearly impossible to guarantee that no ASM cobalt enters global supply chains. Companies must assume their supply may be linked to the worst forms of child labour

• In one 2024 study area, 19% of children were involved in mining-related work—two-thirds of them working daily. Parents want their children in school, but poverty, weak education systems, and the lack of safe alternatives drive them into work linked to mining activities

• Until now, there has been no coordinated, long-term approach that brings together local expertise, existing efforts, and company support. The Action Hub fills that gap. It offers a practical way for companies across the copper-cobalt supply chain to collaborate and take real action

Our programmes meet evolving human rights due diligence expectations in a way that drives direct and positive change for children on the ground, and addresses the risk of child labour along the supply chain. Our key workstreams include:

• Research, mapping and risk assessments: We help companies understand child labour risks and supply chain linkages through human and child rights impact assessments, targeted research, and evidence-based analysis that informs effective action.

• Increased accountability of supply chain actors: We support businesses to strengthen their child labour due diligence through policy and procedure development, practical training for global teams, and collaborative workshops that turn commitments into action across supply chains.

• Capacity building for local partners and communities: We equip mining companies, ASM co-operatives, processing sites, security agencies, community focal points, and other local stakeholders with the knowledge, tools and guidance needed to prevent, identify and address child labour risks.

• Child labour remediation and case management: We deliver both individualised and collective remediation approaches to address child labour. Through case management, family support, community-based interventions, the Emergency & Education Fund, and the Sibling Education Support Programme, we help children access education, protection, and long-term opportunities while strengthening family resilience.

• Increased opportunities for youth: We connect out-of-school youth with safe employment, apprenticeships, skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities. Through partnerships with businesses, local workshops and community initiatives, we give young people opportunities to access decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

• Hub Ecosystem Strengthening: We strengthen the local systems needed to sustain child labour prevention and remediation by building the capacity of frontline actors, aligning with government child protection mechanisms, fostering collaboration, and improving programme management and oversight.

• Reduced child labour

• Strengthened child labour remediation services network

• Decent work opportunities for youth

• Community facilitators as local child rights advocates and a strong local network that can drive progress in alignment with existing government initiatives

• Improved understanding of business linkage to child labour / stronger impact in addressing child labour in informal/lower tiers

• Remediation fund with companies contributing to support vulnerable children

• Businesses can select from different Child Rights Action Hub Participation Packages, each with varying levels of production site coverage (contact us to learn more)

• Nominate suppliers in your supply chain to be included in Hub activities (or you can request your direct suppliers or vendors to share details of lower-tier suppliers; The Centre will then approach these facilities and invite them to participate in Action Hub activities)