ICI started its programme based on research that sought to describe not only the prevalence of worst forms of child labour and forced adult labour but also the direct and underlying causes that supported these practices. From 2004 to 2007 ICI piloted a community based approach to changing attitudes and practices, primarily in Ghana, with the same pilot programme starting in late 2006 in Cote d’Ivoire.

This community based approach is at the centre of ICI’s programme which also includes building awareness and capacity in a wide variety of public, private sector and civil society actors that seeks to build the broader environment for change. The all approach throughout our work is to support those who have the mandate and responsibility to address the underlying causes of the worst forms of child labour and forced labour to eventually meet the needs in a sustainable manner.

During 2006/2007 the pilot community based programme was assessed internally with local partners. In September 2009, the number of sensatized communities had increased from 24 to 157 communities in Ghana and 20 to 88 communities in Cote d'Ivoire. The progress being made against each programme objective, for Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire is regularly updated online.

Between 2004 and December 2009 ICI through its local implementing partners had active programmes in 243 cocoa growing communities, reaching a population of 615,000, and had organized 7,076 community mobilization meetings and sensitised 268,949 community members regarding child labour. As a result, and to better protect children in ICI supported cocoa growing communities, concretely:

• Communities themselves have implemented 476 local initiatives to reduce the vulnerability of their children vis-à-vis child labour (bye-laws, school rehabilitation, recruitment of teachers, etc.)
• Local authorities have supported Community Action Plans (CAPs) implementation with 220 initiatives (provision of construction material for new schools, qualified teachers posted, provision of school kits).
• New or rehabilitated school blocks are available in 129 communities, representing 329 additional classrooms, benefiting to 16,450 pupils (average of 50 pupils per class). 
• 157 new, qualified teachers have been posted in 66 communities

An independent evaluation conducted in Ghana in May and June 2009 found out that in ICI supported communities, there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of children involved in hazardous activities and many children are better protected and equipped with size appropriate tools for the farm work that they continue to do. In the same time, the evaluation team noted that parents, children and community leaders have a greater understanding of the relevance and importance of a school based education than they did in the past and this is reflected in increased enrolment and attendance rates (particularly at primary level), parents’ almost universal provision of school uniforms (estimated at over 90%) and community contributions to improving school facilities.