Celebrating 40 Years of IMPACT
Over four decades, we’ve walked alongside changemakers, challenged the status quo, and helped redefine what responsible natural resource governance looks like. This anniversary isn’t just about looking back, it’s about recognizing the shared victories, bold ideas, and lasting partnerships that brought us here.
A Legacy of Impact
Rooted in Partnership.
Since 1986, IMPACT has worked alongside partners to challenge how natural resources are managed and ensure local communities benefit from the resources in their backyards.
Together with our partners—and with communities as our guiding star—we have shifted paradigms in support of sustainable development, equality, and peace in resource-rich areas, while laying the foundations for responsible sourcing globally.
Over 40 years of shifting landscapes and evolving challenges, one principle has stayed constant: change must be led by those closest to the resources. Our work continues to be defined by deep partnerships, community-led solutions, and a belief that real impact begins from the ground up.
— Joanne Lebert, Executive Director
From Conflict to Clarity
Sparking Conversations on Diamonds.
As one of the first organizations to draw the link between diamonds and conflict financing, IMPACT’s work sparked international outcry. Our contributions to blood diamonds earned IMPACT a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and shaped original conversations on responsible sourcing and human rights across mining communities.
No longer members of the Kimberley Process—which we helped establish—we work with civil society partners to advocate for a more transparent diamond supply chain that addresses the current context including human rights, smuggling, and illicit trade.
Tackling Traceability
Promoting Transparency of Conflict Minerals.
Applying its learnings from the diamond sector, IMPACT has led responsible sourcing efforts for conflict minerals and critical minerals from high-risk regions. Working in partnership with national and regional actors, our efforts have led to a deeper understanding of what drives illicit trade, incentives for miners and traders, as well as advances towards implementing traceability and due diligence for artisanal supply chains.
Through the Just Gold project, IMPACT supported local actors to bring the first traceable, legal, and conflict-free gold from Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire. By incentivizing legal trade and building capacity to comply with due diligence requirements, IMPACT is supporting artisanal mining actors across vital supply chains including gold, tin, coltan, and cobalt to participate in legal markets.
Gender in Focus
Addressing Barriers to Women’s Empowerment.
Building on decades of work to centre local voices, IMPACT’s research highlighted the vital role artisanal mining has in supporting women’s economic empowerment. Women choose to work in the sector due to the higher incomes than any other activity. At the same time, we’ve exposed how child labour in mining is rooted in economic insecurity and not intention. This has spotlighted the impossible choices faced by women, who often shoulder the full burden of providing for their families.
Our work has improved gender mainstreaming across national legislations, increased skills and access for women miners, and led to improved gender equality within communities, mine sites, and homes. By improving women’s security, supporting income generation, and strengthening women’s leadership, we’re laying the foundation for safer, more equitable artisanal mining communities.
Sustainability in Action
Supporting Environmental Stewardship.
With growing attention on the minerals needed for the green transition, our work has become increasingly critical. We’re supporting artisanal miners and their communities to become environmental leaders—developing more responsible mining practices, safeguarding forests, and strengthening ecosystem governance. As governments seek to implement their obligations under the Minamata Convention, we’re working with artisanal gold miners to raise awareness on the harms of mercury, introducing sustainable strategies for mercury reduction and elimination.
These community-led actions are helping build resilience to climate change while ensuring that the shift to critical minerals does not come at the cost of people or the planet.
Financing the Unbanked
Introducing Savings to Mining Communities.
To address financial exclusion of artisanal mining communities from the formal banking sector, we introduced Village Savings and Loans Associations across our work in Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Mali. IMPACT has developed a community savings approach that is targeted to the unique context of the artisanal gold sector, while also privileging women’s empowerment.
Savings have supported artisanal mining actors to save and invest into improved mining practices, such as mercury-free technology, as well as local community upgrades. They’ve also reduced dependence on predatory lenders and strengthening women’s financial leadership, laying the groundwork for economic resilience in mining communities.
Peace in Action
Strengthening Resilience.
In communities affected by conflict and instability, IMPACT has supported artisanal mining communities to lead local peacebuilding efforts and challenge systems that exclude them from decision making. Our work increases social cohesion across communities where there are often disputes around land and minerals, as well as the presence of armed actors.
By placing women at the heart of conflict resolution, we’ve supported peacebuilding within local communities and empowering women to have power in decision making. Across our work, we’ve supported women’s groups to come together, recognizing that they are more powerful united than apart.
Tech For Development
Leading Digital Innovation.
Over four decades, IMPACT has championed approaches that place communities at the centre of change. As the world increasingly turns to digital solutions, we are continuously exploring how innovation can support, not replace, people-led transformation.
From traceability tools to real-time communication platforms, we are testing technologies that make responsible sourcing more transparent. But decisions must remain grounded in local leadership. For IMPACT, innovation is not about disruption. It is about deepening trust, improving access, and strengthening accountability for the people who matter most.
Together for Change
Enabling Change, Communities First.
Forty years is a moment to celebrate. It is a tribute to the progress we have made together. These achievements belong to all who have walked alongside us: partners, communities, and friends around the world.
But it is also a moment to reflect. Injustice, inequality, corruption, and environmental harm persist. The path to truly fair and sustainable resource governance is still being shaped.
As we look ahead, we do so with hope and gratitude. The future of natural resources can be just and sustainable. We invite you to join us on the journey forward.
Our partners have turned minerals into tools for peace, and resistance into resilience. Their work fuels our purpose, and their vision shapes our path forward. This milestone belongs to them. It is a moment to celebrate our shared victories and increase momentum for the next phase ahead.
— Shivani Kannabhiran, Board Chair