In response to the persistent issue of child labour on mining sites, the local multi-stakeholder committee (Comité Local de Suivi, CLS), of Mitwaba town, Haut-Katanga Province, DRC, with facilitation from ITSCI, spearheaded a comprehensive awareness campaign throughout May 2025.
The campaign targeted key mine sites in Mitwaba territory and expanded its reach into broader community spaces such as markets and churches.
Engaging stakeholders at the local level is a cornerstone of ITSCI’s approach to building inclusive partnerships for traceability and due diligence practices on the ground. One core aspect of ITSCI has therefore been to support the set-up of Comités Local de Suivi (CLS) and to conduct capacity-building training for local committee members. These committees, chaired by provincial and local authorities and with state services, security forces and civil society participation, not only foster ownership but also serve as trusted platforms where mining activities are discussed, risk information are shared, and mitigation actions agreed upon and followed up. Through monthly meetings, CLS members actively addressed the issue of child labour in mining and collectively committed to taking actions.
The campaign was marked by strong and vibrant collaboration between traditional authorities, civil society organisations, and state services, including the Ministry of Gender and Family. A local civil society platform, Force Vive, also played a pivotal role in mobilising community engagement.
Within one month, 12 impactful awareness sessions were conducted. These included direct outreach to artisanal miners, drawing attention to the different dangers children face in mines, and discussions in local churches. Posters at mine sites were displayed, with messages prohibiting the presence and work of children, and radio broadcasts supported by the local NGO Action Contre la Pauvreté amplified the campaign’s message across the region.
The campaign championed the importance of education and school attendance and explained the laws and regulations in the mining sector. Local mining cooperatives reported a noticeable decline in the presence of children at mine sites during the campaign period.
Community feedback has also been heartening. A mother shared that after attending a session, she decided to keep her children at home and committed to enrolling them in school next year. Another testimony came from Maman Chef Bujito, a traditional leader, who emphasised the vital role of local state services in driving change.
While local schools were not directly involved in this phase, exciting plans are underway to integrate them into future campaigns, further strengthening community-wide efforts to protect children.
In the DRC, ITSCI has already helped to establish over 70 CLS/CPP across the eight provinces where ITSCI is implemented. We continue to encourage the creation of additional committees to further reinforce local ownership and accountability.
Read more stories from the field including local CLS here.
Awareness campaign in a local church in Mitwaba, Haut-Katanga Province, DRC, May 2025