Child Rights Action Hub Launches Youth Employment Programme in DRC Mining Communities

The Child Rights Action Hub DRC has launched a new Access to Decent Work for Youth (AD-Y) programme in ASM copper and cobalt mining communities in the DRC.

The programme connects out-of-school adolescents aged 16–17 to safe work, apprenticeships and skills development opportunities, helping reduce the risk of hazardous child labour in artisanal mining communities where formal employment pathways for youth remain limited.

The DRC Hub is currently focusing on four Youth Employment Pathways:

• Standard AD-Y Decent Work Pathway linking youth with safe, non-hazardous roles at local companies

• Community Workshop Pathway supporting apprenticeships and employment through local micro-enterprises such as tailoring, mechanics and carpentry workshops

• Acceleration Programme, delivered with La Creation Hub, to strengthen workshop business performance and youth employment practices

• A soon-to-launch Digital Pathway focused on digital literacy, remote work opportunities and tech entrepreneurship

In March 2026, the Action Hub launched its first Community Workshop programme in the mining communities of Kapata and UCK. To date, five young workers and four workshops have joined the programme, with additional participants expected in the coming months.

Activities completed so far include:

• Development of practical guidelines and awareness materials for participating workshops

• Health and safety assessments and action planning

• Training for workshop owners on young worker management and child protection

• Soft skills training for participating youth and vocational trainees

• Collaboration with local partners to support certification for programme participants

By supporting youth access to safe and decent work opportunities, the AD-Y programme aims to strengthen local employment pathways while helping companies and communities address child labour risks in mineral supply chains.

“I have learnt a lot in this mechanics training and hope to be able to find a job to continue practicing my skills and support my family,” said a child taking part in a mechanics course as part of the AD-Y programme.

We welcome buyers, supply chain partners, local mining companies and businesses to get involved. Buyers can support programme expansion through funding or by nominating suppliers to participate, while local businesses can offer safe, non-hazardous work opportunities for youth and strengthen their own youth employment and management practices through the programme.