The 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 ten international companies are already funding the initiative, with further support from the Fair Cobalt Alliance. The 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 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.

• Child Labour Remediation Programme: individualised and collective support for children managed by our growing network of local, accredited case managers

• Access to Decent Work for Youth Programme: connects out-of-school youth to decent work and training opportunities, reducing the risk of hazardous mine work (one of the worst forms of child labour)

• After-School Centres: provide various recreational and learning activities, including homework support, to keep children engaged after school and and boost their academic success. These programmes are run in collaboration with, and supported by, the local community

• Emergency and Education Fund: offers additional medical, or other necessary support to those in the remediation programmerequiring support beyond the standard protocol

• Training and Awareness Raising: training on responsible business conduct and child rights to companies, and awareness raising to prevent child labour to key stakeholders and change-makers in mining communities.

• 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

• Brands 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)