Our Collaborations

Actions et Réalisations pour le Développement (ARED) is a non-profit organization in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Orientale Province that promotes gender equality, peace, and social development in local communities. IMPACT has partnered with ARED to carry out research examining the role of women and women’s livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector in central and east Africa. ARED provides research support in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province as part of the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program.

Club des Volontaires pour l’Appui aux Peuples Autochtones (CVAP) is a non-profit organization in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province that promotes indigenous and women’s rights in local communities. IMPACT has partnered with CVAP to carry out sensitization, capacity building, and provide leadership opportunities for women, as well as the indigenous pygmy population in artisanal mining communities in Ituri Province.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the Great Lakes Region against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (COSOC-GL) is a regional, independent network of civil society organizations working together against the illegal exploitation of natural resources. IMPACT helped establish the network and invests in training and capacity building for our civil society partners in COSOC-GL. We provide technical guidance and sensitization to support civil society organizations as they call for the implementation of regional and international standards applicable to minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, as well as monitor and report on risks in the mineral supply chain.

The Development Research and Social Policy Analysis Center (DRASPAC) is a private non-profit collaborative research centre based in Uganda. Through their research, DRASPAC is informing policy in the areas of education, health, migration, livelihood and sustainable development, and natural resource management in east Africa. IMPACT is partnered with DRASPAC to carry out research examining the role of women and women’s livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector in central and east Africa. This research is part of the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program.

The Kimberly Process (KP) Civil Society Coalition is a network of 11 non-governmental organizations in Africa, Europe, and North America who are members of the KP—the international multi-stakeholder initiative that certifies rough diamonds as conflict-free. IMPACT is a founding member of the KP Civil Society Coalition and supports the participation of civil society members in the Coalition’s activities. We invest in capacity building and provide a spotlight to members of the Coalition who are highlighting violations in the diamond supply chain and addressing these challenges.

The Reseau d’Innovation Organisationelle (RIO) is a network in Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province promoting peace and social development in communities throughout the Great Lakes region. IMPACT is partnered with RIO to carry out research examining the role of women and women’s livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector in central and east Africa. RIO provides research support in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program.

SOFEPADI is a non-profit organization in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) promoting women’s rights and empowerment. IMPACT has partnered with SOFEPADI to carry out sensitization, capacity building, and provide leadership opportunities for women in artisanal mining communities in DRC’s Ituri Province.

The Women In/And Mining Organization (WIAMO) is a Rwandan organization committed to promoting gender inclusivity in Rwanda’s mining industry and to reducing the negative effects of mining on women. IMPACT is partnered with WIAMO to carry out research examining the role of women and women’s livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector in central and east Africa. They provide research support in Rwanda as part of the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program.

IMPACT collaborates with Ottawa-based Carleton University on research, including to examine the role of women and women’s livelihoods in the artisanal mining sector in central and east Africa as part of the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program. Carleton University’s History Department has also provided archival research to support the documentation of IMPACT’s history.

The African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC) was established by the African Union to support the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision and improve mining governance across the continent. IMPACT collaborates with the AMDC to share information on the natural resource sector and to promote new strategies for natural resource management.

IMPACT has provided technical support to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Mines since 2011, supporting the implementation of the ICGLR’s six tools to end the illicit trade of conflict-prone minerals. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Mines in September 2016 that expresses support for our activities in strengthening natural resource management, including women’s empowerment in the sector. We also have agreements with and provide technical support to Service d’Assistance et d’Encadrement du Small-Scale Mining (SAESSCAM) at the national, provincial, and local levels. Additionally, we collaborate with other policymakers in the mining sector including Centre d’évaluation, d’expertise et de certification (CEEC), and the Division of Mines. We also collaborate with the Ministry of Gender, Family, and Children.

IMPACT has provided technical support and capacity building to Rwanda and Uganda’s Ministries of Mines since 2011, supporting the implementation of the ICGLR’s six tools to end the illicit trade of conflict-prone minerals.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is an inter-governmental organization of 12 countries in Africa’s Great Lakes region who are working together to promote sustainable peace and development. IMPACT has been working closely with the ICGLR since 2005 to end the illicit trade of conflict-prone minerals, specifically 3Ts and gold. We helped develop and are now supporting the implementation of six tools created as part of the ICGLR’s Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ICGLR Secretariat and provide technical guidance and capacity building to both the ICGLR Secretariat and the 12 Member States.

IMPACT has partnered with Consensas, a Canadian technology start-up to expand our traceability and due diligence system for the Just Gold project, beyond mine sites to exporters, through the chain of custody—to jewellery retailers and consumers.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) developed the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, a voluntary set of guidelines for the private sector to responsibly source minerals. IMPACT advised on and contributed to the development of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, including its annexes on 3Ts and artisanal gold. We are also currently serving as co-chair of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group, which supports its implementation. We provide capacity building to stakeholders around the world—including West Africa and the Great Lakes region—on implementing the Guidance. We also strongly advocate for legal adoption of the Guidance as part of our technical support to governments.

The Network for the Empowerment of Women in Mining Communities (REAFECOM) is the first association of women artisanal miners in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province. Launched in 2018, the association represents the interests of women miners in their communities. IMPACT is supporting the association’s efforts to empower women in mining communities.

IMPACT collaborates with the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Kingston on research into supply chain assessments.

Toronto-based Fair Trade Jewellery Company (FTJCo), is a world leader and innovator in traceable metals, diamonds and gems. Since 2006, the company has set the standard for traceable jewellery, achieving many firsts including being the first jeweller to offer Fairtrade and later Fairmined gold to North America. In 2017, Fair Trade Jewellery Co. began purchasing gold from IMPACT’s Just Gold project and is the first manufacturer and retailer in the world, to offer conflict-free and traceable artisanal gold from Democratic Republic of Congo to consumers.

The Africa-Canada Forum is a working group of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) and brings together Canadian organizations working on development and social justice in Africa. IMPACT is a member of the Forum.

Launched in 2018, the Environmental Peacebuilding Association provides a multidisciplinary forum to address issues related to environment, conflict, and peace. IMPACT is a founding member of the association.

The European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) is a multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to create better conditions for mining communities by increasing the number of mines that adopt responsible mining practices in conflict and high-risk areas. IMPACT is a member of the initiative.

The Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade is a US-led, joint initiative between governments, the private sector, and civil society to support the establishment of conflict-free mineral supply chains in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. IMPACT participates in the initiative by serving on the Governance Committee as well as a number of working groups.

Publish What You Pay-Canada (PWYP-Canada) is a coalition of 15 Canadian civil society groups with the shared objective of increasing transparency in the extractive sector, both at home and abroad. The coalition believes that a more accountable system of natural resource management is necessary to enhance development and improve the lives of citizens in resource-rich countries. IMPACT helped found PWYP-Canada in 2008 and has hosted it since while also serving on the Steering Committee.

The Global Mercury Partnership is an alliance of governments, industry, and organizations from around the world committed to reducing mercury’s impacts on human health and the environment. IMPACT is a member of the Partnership and shares information and strategies to reduce mercury use in artisanal and small-scale mining.

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes practical guidelines to advance security and human rights in the extractive sector. IMPACT is a member of the civil society pillar.