Helping children leave the mine and return to school.
Removing a child from a mine without changing why they were there can do more harm than good. The FCA addresses the cause, with a remediation hub, school places and a route to a different future.
Addressing why children work in mines.
In the copper-cobalt belt, a large share of households depend on mining for income, and a minority of children work in or around the mines. Simply banning them at the gate pushes the problem out of sight and can leave a family poorer.
The FCA's Child Labour Remediation Hub in Kolwezi, set up with Save the Children and the Centre for Child Rights and Business, takes each case individually. It offers access to education, health, psychosocial support and, for older youth, vocational training and a path to work.
Because a child rarely works in isolation, the programme also supports brothers and sisters through a Sibling Education Fund, and invests in the schools themselves.
Support for each child, case by case.
Referral & case management
Children are identified and supported individually through a scalable referral system.
Back to school
School enrolment and retention. The Alliance reports that all supported children passed their end-of-year exams in 2025.
Health & psychosocial care
Health services and psychosocial support delivered locally through Maison Kwetu and Maison Mapendo.
Vocational training
For youth aged fifteen and over, skills and a route to a livelihood that is not the mine.
Sibling Education Fund
Brothers and sisters supported back into school, because remediation has to reach the whole household.
Schools project
Solar power and solar libraries installed at ten public schools with the Signify Foundation.
Children and schools the Alliance reports reaching.
The CLR Hub provides a lifeline—offering access to education, health, psychosocial support, and a safe future.The Fair Cobalt AllianceMore initiatives, mapped and tracked.
The Fair Cobalt Alliance is one of dozens of programmes in the artisanal cobalt space. Browse the full register, or tell us what is missing.